Naming binary compounds

Naming Binary Molecular Compounds

Naming compounds consisting of two elements

A binary compound is a compound formed by the combination of two elements. A binary molecular compound is a combination of two nonmetal elements. Typically the first element written in the formula and the name has a relative positive charge. This means the more electronegative element is written second.

Names for molecular binary compounds consist of two words.

The first word is a prefix plus a complete element name .

The second word is a prefix plus the stem of the element name plus the ending -ide.

EXAMPLE: drag cursor over image to see example

EXAMPLE: drag cursor over image to see example

Common Greek prefixes used in chemical names

Number	Prefix
1	mono-
2	di-
3	tri-
4	tetra-
5	penta-
6	hexa-
7	hepta-
8	octa-

EXAMPLE:	The name for N₂O₄ is
	The first word is a prefix plus a complete element name . Here the prefix is "di-". dinitrogen
	The second word is a prefix plus the stem of the element name plus the ending -ide. Here the prefix is "tetra-".tetroxide
	NOTE: the prefix tetra- is used to indicate four and the a is omitted to avoid two vowels next to each other.
	The complete name is dinitrogen tetroxide

EXAMPLE	The name for SF₆ is
	The first word is a prefix plus a complete element name. Here there is no prefixbecause there is only one S in the formula sulfur

	The second word is a prefix plus the stem of the element name plus the ending -ide. Here the prfix is "hexa-".hexafluoride
	The complete name is sulfur hexafluoride

EXERCISE

What is the name for SiO₂? Click here for answer

EXERCISE:

What is the name for IF₇? Click here for answer