Naming Ionic compounds.
KEY
Rules for Naming Ions
• When metals lose electrons they become ions, but their name does not change.
• When nonmetals gain electrons they become ions, and their name does change.
root of element name + -ide = name of nonmetal ion
• The name of chlorine’s ion:
chlor- + -ide = chloride
• The name of nitrogen’s ion:
nitr- + -ide = nitride
Write the name of each of the ions listed below:
There are also ions that form after elements have shared electrons. These ions are known as polyatomic ions,
and each polyatomic ion already has a name – you do not need to learn these.
Write the name of each of the ions listed below
Steps for Naming Ionic Compounds
Step 1: Write the name of the metal ion.
Step 2: Write the name of the nonmetal ion.
Step 3: YOU ARE DONE! It is that easy.
Write the names of the following ionic compounds:
NaF Sodium fluoride
MgO Magnesium oxide
SrCl2 Strontium chloride
Li2S Lithium sulphide
CaO Calcium oxide
KI Potassium iodide
NH4F Ammonium fluoride
CaSO4 Calcium sulphate
Now do these:
Naming ionic compounds with transition metals
• There are a different set of rules for ionic compounds containing transition metals
• Transition metals can form ions with different charges.
• The charge of the metal must be determined by the charge on the nonmetal.
• The charge of the metal is represented by roman numerals in parentheses (brackets) after the metal:
Number Roman
numeral
1 I
2 II
3 III
4 IV
5 V
6 VI
7 VII
8 VIII
For example, for Cu2O:
• Oxygen ALWAYS gains 2 electrons to form an ion with a -2 charge
• Copper must have overall +2 charge, as the compound is overall NEUTRAL
• The charge of the metal is represented by roman numerals in brackets after the metal
• The name of Cu2O is copper (I) oxide
Write the names of the following ionic compounds:
FeCl2 Iron (II) chloride
CuO Copper (II) oxide
Hg2O3 Mercury (III) oxide
Write the names of the following ionic compounds:
NaCl - sodium chloride
Fe2(CO3)3 - iron(III) carbonate
Cu(OH)2 - copper(II) hydroxide
(NH4)2SO4 - ammonium sulfate
LiNO3 - lithium nitrate
BaSO4 - barium sulfate
Mg(NO3)2 - magnesium nitrate
AgCl - silver chloride
• (note: silver is one of the transition metals that only occurs as a (1+) ion)
Al(OH)3 - aluminum hydroxide
CaSO4 - calcium sulfate
FeS -Iron(II) - sulfide
FeCl3 - iron(III) chloride
NaI - sodium iodide
MgCO3 - magnesium carbonate
