email Mark Bishop

Types of Compounds

The following summarizes the distinguishing features of different kinds of formulas and names.

Binary Covalent Compounds

General Formula  -  A_aB_b   -  For example, N₂O₅ or CO₂  

General Name - (prefix unless mono)(name of first element in formula) (prefix)(root of second element)ide
                            For example, dinitrogen pentoxide or carbon dioxide

Binary Ionic Compounds

General Formula - M_aA_b   -  For example, NaCl or FeCl₃

General Name - (name of metal) (root of nonmetal)ide or (name of metal)(Roman #) (root of nonmetal)ide
For example, sodium chloride or iron(III) chloride

Ionic Compounds with Polyatomic Ion(s)

General Formula - M_aX_b or (NH₄)_aX_b   X = recognized formula of polyatomic ion
For example, Li₂HPO₄ or CuSO₄ or NH₄Cl or (NH₄)₂SO₄

General Name - (name of metal) (name of polyatomic ion) or (name of metal)(Roman #) (name of polyatomic ion) or ammonium (root of nonmetal)ide or ammonium (name of polyatomic ion)
For example, lithium hydrogen phosphate or copper(II) sulfate or ammonium chloride or ammonium sulfate

Binary Acids

General Formula - HX(aq)   -  For example, HCl(aq)

General Name - hydro(root)ic acid   -  For example, hydrochloric acid

Oxyacids

General Formula - H_aX_bO_c   -  For example, HNO₃ or H₂SO₄ or H₃PO₄

General Name - (root)ic acid   -  For example, nitric acid or sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid

The following links take you to pages that have information about writing names and formulas for compounds.

Binary Covalent Nomenclature

Ionic Nomenclature

Cation Names and Formulas

Anion Names and Formulas

Acid Nomenclature

General Nomenclature