Nomenclature of Binary Ionic Compounds

Fixed Charged Ionic Compound Nomenclature

​Goal

Be able to write the name and chemical formula for fixed charge ionic compounds.

​Naming Binary Ionic Compounds with a Metal that Forms Only One Type of Cation

A binary ionic compound is a compound composed of a monatomic metal cation and a monatomic nonmetal anion. The metal cation is named first, followed by the nonmetal anion as illustrated in Figure 5.7.1 for the compound BaCl₂. The word ion is dropped from both parts.

Fixed Charge Ionic Compounds Nomenclature

Writing Name

1. ​Write the name of the cation (just name of the metal)

2. Write the name of the anion (the root of the element with an -ide ending

Multiple Choice

What is the name of K₂S?

• potassium sulfur

• potassium sulfite

• potassium sulfide

• potassium sulfate

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct name for the compound: CaO

• calcium oxide

• calcium oxygen

• calcium oxalate

​One thing that you must remember about ionic compound nomenclature is that the number of electrons transfered from the metals must equal the number of electrons gained by the nonmetal. Read the following to learn how to make sure the number of electrons transfered is constant.

​An alternative way to writing a correct formula for an ionic compound is to use the crisscross method. In this method, the numerical value of each of the ion charges is crossed over to become the subscript of the other ion. Signs of the charges are dropped.

Fixed Charge Ionic Compounds Nomenclature

Multiple Choice

Write the name of the ionic compound below:

MgF₂

• Magnesium Fluoride

• Manganese Fluoride

• Magnesium Chloride

• Magnesium Bromide

Multiple Choice

What is the name of Rb₃N?

• rubidium nitride

• rubidium nitrite

• rubidium nitrate

• rubidium nitroxide

Multiple Choice

What is the correct formula for the compound, lithium oxide?

• LiO

• Li₂O

• LiO₂

• Li₂O₂

Multiple Choice

Mg²⁺ and Cl^- create...

• Mg₂Cl
• MgCl₂
• Mg₂Cl₂
• MgCl

Multiple Choice

Li⁺ and P^3- create...

• Li₃P
• LiP₃
• LiP
• Li₂P

Multiple Choice

Write the formula for barium + nitrogen

• Ba₂N₃

• Ba₃N₂

• BaN

• BaN₃

Multiple Choice

What is the FORMULA for...
calcium arsenide

• Ca₃As₂
• CaAs₂
• Ca₃As
• Ca₃Ar₂

Multiple Choice

What is the correct formula for the compound, lithium oxide?

• LiO
• Li₂O
• LiO₂
• Li₂O₂