To practice naming ionic compounds by recognizing the ions in the formula.
Naming Compounds
Now that we know how to name ions, we are ready to name ionic compounds. We do so by placing the name of the cation first, followed by the name of the anion, and dropping the word ion from both parts. For example, what is the name of the compound whose formula is \(\ce{Ba(NO3)2}\)?
The compound’s name does not indicate that there are two nitrate ions for every barium ion. You must determine the relative numbers of ions by balancing the positive and negative charges.
If you are given a formula for an ionic compound whose cation can have more than one possible charge, you must first determine the charge on the cation before identifying its correct name. For example, consider \(\ce{FeCl2}\) and \(\ce{FeCl3}\). In the first compound, the iron ion has a 2+ charge because there are two \(\ce{Cl^{−}}\) ions in the formula (1− charge on each chloride ion). In the second compound, the iron ion has a 3+ charge, as indicated by the three \(\ce{Cl^{−}}\) ions in the formula. These are two different compounds that need two different names. By the Stock system, the names are iron(II) chloride and iron(III) chloride. If we were to use the stems and suffixes of the common system, the names would be ferrous chloride and ferric chloride, respectively.
Example \(\PageIndex{3}\)
Name each ionic compound, using both Stock and common systems if necessary.
Ca3(PO4)2
(NH4)2Cr2O7
KCl
CuCl
SnF2
Answer a
calcium phosphate
Answer b
ammonium dichromate (the prefix di- is part of the name of the anion)
Answer c
potassium chloride
Answer d
copper(I) chloride or cuprous chloride
Answer e
tin(II) fluoride or stannous fluoride
Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)
Name each ionic compound, using both Stock and common systems if necessary.
ZnBr2
Fe(NO3)3
Al2O3
CuF2
AgF
Answer a
zinc bromide
Answer b
iron (III) nitrate or ferric nitrate
Answer c
aluminum oxide
Answer d
copper (II) fluoride or cupric fluoride
Answer e
silver fluoride
Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) is a synopsis of how to name simple ionic compounds.
Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A Guide to Naming Simple Ionic Compounds. Follow these steps to name a simple ionic compound.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Each ionic compound has its own unique name that comes from the names of the ions.
EXERCISES
Briefly describe the process for naming an ionic compound.
In what order do the names of ions appear in the names of ionic compounds?
3. Which ionic compounds can be named using two different systems? Give an example.
4. Name each ion.
Ra2+
P3−
H2PO4−
Sn4+
5. Name each ion.
Cs+
As3−
HSO4−
Sn2+
6. Name the ionic compound formed by each pair of ions.
Na+ and Br−
Mg2+ and Br−
Mg2+ and S2−
7. Name the ionic compound formed by each pair of ions.
K+ and Cl−
Mg2+ and Cl−
Mg2+ and Se2−
8. Name the ionic compound formed by each pair of ions.
Na+ and N3−
Mg2+ and N3−
Al3+ and S2−
9. Name the ionic compound formed by each pair of ions.
Li+ and N3−
Mg2+ and P3−
Li+ and P3−
10. Name the ionic compound formed by each pair of ions. Use both the Stock and common systems, where appropriate.
Fe3+ and Br−
Fe2+ and Br−
Au3+ and S2−
Au+ and S2−
11. Name the ionic compound formed by each pair of ions. Use both the Stock and common systems, where appropriate.
Cr3+ and O2−
Cr2+ and O2−
Pb2+ and Cl−
Pb4+ and Cl−
12. Name the ionic compound formed by each pair of ions. Use both the Stock and common systems, where appropriate.
Cr3+ and NO3−
Fe2+ and PO43−
Ca2+ and CrO42−
Al3+ and OH−
13. Name the ionic compound formed by each pair of ions. Use both the Stock and common systems, where appropriate.
NH4+ and NO3−
K+ and Cr2O72−
Cu+ and CO32−
Na+ and HCO3−
14. Give two names for each compound.
Al(HSO4)3
Mg(HSO4)2
15. Give two names for each compound.
Co(HCO3)2
LiHCO3
Answers
Name the cation and then the anion but don’t use numerical prefixes.
the cation name followed by the anion name
Ionic compounds in which the cation can have more than one possible charge have two naming systems. FeCl3 is either iron(III) chloride or ferric chloride (answers will vary).