3.5: Naming Monoatomic Ions

Learning Objectives

• Name monoatomic ions using the defined nomenclature rules.

After learning a few more details about the names of individual ions, you will be a step away from knowing how to name ionic compounds. This section begins the formal study of nomenclature, the systematic naming of chemical compounds.

Naming Cations

The name of a monatomic cation is simply the name of the element followed by the word ion. Thus, Na⁺ is the sodium ion, Al³⁺ is the aluminum ion, Ca²⁺ is the calcium ion, and so forth.

We have seen that some elements lose different numbers of electrons, producing ions of different charges. Iron, for example, can form two cations, each of which, when combined with the same anion, makes a different ionic compound with unique physical and chemical properties. Thus, we need a different name for each iron ion to distinguish Fe²⁺ from Fe³⁺. The same issue arises for other ions with more than one possible charge.

There are two ways to make this distinction. In the simpler, more modern approach, called the stock system, an ion’s positive charge is indicated by a roman numeral in parentheses after the element name, followed by the word ion. Thus, Fe²⁺ is called the iron(II) ion, while Fe³⁺ is called the iron(III) ion. This system is used only for elements that form more than one common positive ion. We do not call the Na⁺ ion the sodium(I) ion because (I) is unnecessary. Sodium forms only a 1+ ion, so there is no ambiguity about the name sodium ion.

The second system, called the common system, is not conventional but is still prevalent and used in the health sciences. This system recognizes that many metals have two common cations. The common system uses two suffixes (-ic and -ous) that are appended to the stem of the element name. The -ic suffix represents the greater of the two cation charges, and the -ous suffix represents the lower one. In many cases, the stem of the element name comes from the Latin name of the element. Table \(\PageIndex{1}\) lists the elements that use the common system, along with their respective cation names.

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Names of Some Cations

Element	Charge	Symbol	Common System Name	Stock System Name
chromium	2+	Cr^2^+	chromous ion	chromium(II) ion
	3+	Cr^3^+	chromic ion	chromium(III) ion
copper	1+	Cu^+	cuprous ion	copper(I) ion
	2+	Cu^2^+	cupric ion	copper(II) ion
iron	2+	Fe^2^+	ferrous ion	iron(II) ion
	3+	Fe^3^+	ferric ion	iron(III) ion
lead	2+	Pb^2^+	plumbous ion	lead(II) ion
	4+	Pb^3^+	plumbic ion	lead(IV) ion
tin	2+	Sn^2^+	stannous ion	tin(II) ion
	4+	Sn^4^+	stannic ion	tin(IV) ion

Naming Anions

The name of a monatomic anion consists of the stem of the element name, the suffix -ide, and then the word ion. Thus, as we have already seen, Cl⁻ is “chlor-” + “-ide ion,” or the chloride ion. Similarly, O²⁻ is the oxide ion, Se²⁻ is the selenide ion, and so forth. Table \(\PageIndex{2}\) lists the names of some common monatomic ions.

Table \(\PageIndex{2}\): Some Monatomic Anions

Element	Charge	Symbol	Name
fluorine	1–	F^−	fluoride ion
chlorine	1–	Cl^−	chloride ion
bromine	1–	Br^−	bromide ion
iodine	1–	I^−	iodide ion
oxygen	2–	O^2−	oxide ion
sulfur	2–	S^2−	sulfide ion
phosphorous	3–	P^3−	phosphide ion
nitrogen	3–	N^3−	nitride ion

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Name each ion.

1. Ca²⁺
2. S²⁻
3. SO₃²⁻
4. NH₄⁺
5. Cu⁺

Answer a

the calcium ion

Answer b

the sulfide ion (from Table \(\PageIndex{2}\) )

Answer c

the sulfite ion

Answer d

the ammonium ion

Answer e

the copper(I) ion or the cuprous ion (copper can form cations with either a 1+ or 2+ charge, so we have to specify which charge this ion has

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Name each ion.

1. Fe²⁺
2. Fe³⁺
3. SO₄²⁻
4. Ba²⁺
5. HCO₃⁻

Answer a

the iron (II) or ferrous ion

Answer b

the iron (III) or ferric ion

Answer c

the sulfate ion

Answer d

the barium ion

Answer e

the bicarbonate ion or hydrogen carbonate ion

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Write the formula for each ion.

1. the bromide ion
2. the phosphate ion
3. the cupric ion
4. the magnesium ion

Answer a

Br⁻

Answer b

PO₄³⁻

Answer c

Cu²⁺

Answer d

Mg²⁺

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Write the formula for each ion.

1. the fluoride ion
2. the carbonate ion
3. the ferrous ion
4. the potassium ion

Answer a

F⁻

Answer b

CO₃^2-

Answer c

Fe²⁺

Answer d

K⁺

Note Chemistry Is Everywhere: Salt

The element sodium (part [a] in the accompanying figure) is a very reactive metal; given the opportunity, it will react with the sweat on your hands and form sodium hydroxide, which is a very corrosive substance. The element chlorine (part [b] in the accompanying figure) is a pale yellow, corrosive gas that should not be inhaled due to its poisonous nature. Bring these two hazardous substances together, however, and they react to make the ionic compound sodium chloride (part [c] in the accompanying figure), known simply as salt.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Sodium + Chlorine = Sodium Chloride (a) Sodium is a very reactive metal. (b) Chlorine is a pale yellow, noxious gas. (c) Together, sodium and chlorine make sodium chloride-salt-which is necessary for our survival. Source: Photo(opens in new window) on the left courtesy of Greenhorn1. Photo(opens in new window) in the center courtesy of Benjah-bmm27, . Photo on the right © Thinkstock.

Salt is necessary for life. Na⁺ ions are one of the main ions in the human body and are necessary to regulate the fluid balance in the body. Cl⁻ ions are necessary for proper nerve function and respiration. Both of these ions are supplied by salt. The taste of salt is one of the fundamental tastes; salt is probably the most ancient flavoring known, and one of the few rocks we eat.

The health effects of too much salt are still under debate, although a 2010 report by the US Department of Agriculture concluded that "excessive sodium intake…raises blood pressure, a well-accepted and extraordinarily common risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, and kidney disease."US Department of Agriculture Committee for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, accessed January 5, 2010. It is clear that most people ingest more salt than their bodies need, and most nutritionists recommend curbing salt intake. Curiously, people who suffer from low salt (called hyponatria) do so not because they ingest too little salt but because they drink too much water. Endurance athletes and others involved in extended strenuous exercise need to watch their water intake so their body's salt content is not diluted to dangerous levels.