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Chemical Nomenclature: Metal-Nonmetal

The document discusses chemical nomenclature and provides rules for naming different types of compounds according to IUPAC nomenclature. It introduces elements and compounds, and the importance of a standardized naming system. It then outlines naming conventions for ionic compounds, molecular compounds, acids, and hydrates. Key aspects covered are writing chemical formulas and following IUPAC approved names and prefixes to concisely communicate about specific elements and compounds.

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50 views

Chemical Nomenclature: Metal-Nonmetal

The document discusses chemical nomenclature and provides rules for naming different types of compounds according to IUPAC nomenclature. It introduces elements and compounds, and the importance of a standardized naming system. It then outlines naming conventions for ionic compounds, molecular compounds, acids, and hydrates. Key aspects covered are writing chemical formulas and following IUPAC approved names and prefixes to concisely communicate about specific elements and compounds.

Uploaded by

RSL
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHEMICAL NOMENCLATURE Introduction Chemistry is the study of matter (elements and compounds) and the changes that matter

undergo. Elements and compounds are such an important part of chemistry. Because there are 112 elements presently and millions of compounds, it is very important that chemists are able to communicate concisely and without ambiguity about which element or compound is being discussed. In the early beginnings of chemistry, the chemical name of a compound and its chemical formula had little or no relationship to each other. For example, the compound Na 2 CO3 , was initially called soda ash. The name soda ash contains no information about the type or number of elements in the compound. Modern naming methods have corrected this lack of connection between chemical formulas and chemical names. Today the rules for writing chemical formulas and naming chemicals are set by the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Chemical names and formulas that follow the rules of this committee are to follow IUPAC nomenclature. The older names are often referred to as common names. Thus soda ash is the common name for Na 2 CO3 and sodium carbonate is the correct IUPAC name. In Chemistry 1180 you will occasionally encounter a common name, water for example, but most of the nomenclature will follow IUPAC rules. In this course you will be expected to master the IUPAC nomenclature for six different types of compounds. These are binary compounds (both metal-nonmetal and nonmetal-nonmetal), metalpolyatomic anion, binary acids (non-oxyacids), polyatomic acids (oxyacids) and hydrates. IUPAC Nomenclature Rules for Inorganic Compounds 1. Ionic Compounds Metal-Nonmetal These compounds may be either ionic or covalent depending on the electronegativity of M and X. The metal of NH4 + is always written first. These compounds are commonly referred to as salts. (More about electronegativity and bonding in Chapter 8.) General form = M y Xz Where: M = any metal ion or ammonium ion, NH4 + X = any nonmetal element and OH- and CNy and z represent integers Steps in naming binary metal nonmetal compounds: (1) Use the full name of the metal, M, or ammonium if M is NH4 + (2) Follow metal name with a Roman numeral, in ( ), to indicate the metals charge. This step is omitted if the metal has only one common charge. (refer to periodic chart). (3) Write the stem of the nonmetals name, or hydroxide if OH- or cyanide if CN-. Stems for the most common nonmetals are as follows: B = bor, C = carb, N = nitr, O = ox, F = fluor, Si = silic, P = phosph, S = sulf, Cl = chlor, As = arsen, Se = selen, Br = brom, Te = tellur, I = iod. (4) Add the suffix, -ide to the stem of the nonmetal. Examples: NaCl = sodium chloride; Fe2 O3 = iron (III) oxide

Cation Polyatomic Ion Please note: From this point on, it is very important that you have memorized the correct name, formula and charge for all the polyatomic anions listed in the book and on the Polyatomic Ions handout. General Form = (Metal ion or NH4 +)y (Polyatomic anion)z The bond between the metal or ammonium ion and the polyatomic anion is always ionic. These compounds are, like the binary metal-nonmetal compounds, also referred to as salts. Steps in naming cation-polyatomic anion compounds: (1) Name the metal ion/ammonium ion in exactly the same manner used in the naming of binary metalnonmetal compounds. (2) Name the polyatomic anion. Examples: Na 2 SO4 = sodium sulfate; Cu 3 (PO4 )2 = copper (II) phosphate; (NH4 )2 CO3 = ammonium carbonate

2. Molecular Compounds These compounds are always covalently bonded. They are commonly referred to as covalent or molecular compounds. The least electronegative element is usually written first. Since we do not know about electronegativity yet, the rule may be stated as: write the element furthest to the left on the periodic table and furthest down the table, first. General Form = Qy Xz Where: Q = any nonmetal X = any other nonmetal y and z are integers Steps in naming binary covalent compounds: (1) Write the numerical prefix for y (see prefix list below) unless it is one (1), then no numerical prefix is used. (2) Add the full name of the nonmetal, Q. (3) Write the numerical prefix of z. Once again, no numerical prefix is used if z = 1. (4) Add the stem of the name of the second nonmetal, X. (5) Complete the name by adding the suffix, -ide, to the stem; (6) If the first element is hydrogen, H, no numerical prefixes are needed. Most commonly used numerical prefixes: 1 = mono; 2 = di; 2 = tri; 4 = tetra; 5 = penta; 6 = hexa; 7 = hepta; 8 = octa; 9 = nono; 10 = deca Examples: ICl = iodine chloride; ICl3 = iodine trichloride; N2 O4 = dinitrogen tetroxide

3. Acids Binary Acids (acids without oxygen) General Form = Hy X (aq) Where: H = hydrogen X = nonmetal y = integer (aq) means that the compound is dissolved in water. (Compound is in aqueous phase.) Steps in naming binary acids: (1) (2) (3) (4) Write the prefix, hydro-; Add the stem of the name for the nonmetal, X. If X = sulfur, write sulfur instead of sulf. Add the suffix, -ic to the stem. Add the word, acid. H2 S (aq) = hydrosulfuric acid

Examples: HF (aq) = hydrofluoric acid;

Oxyacids General form = Hy XOz (aq) Where: H = hydrogen XOzy- = a polyatomic anion y and z are small integers (aq) means that the compound is dissolved in water. (Compound is in aqueous phase.) Steps in naming oxyacids: (1) Write the stem of the anion. The stem of the most polyatomic anions is the name of the anion minus the -ate or -ite ending.) Example: ClO4 - = perchlorate ion, stem = perchlor (2) If the anion name ended in ate, add ic to the stem. (3) If the anion name ended in ite, add ous to the stem. (4) Add the word, acid. Examples: HClO4 (aq) = perchloric acid; HNO2 (aq) = nitrous acid

4. Hydrates General Form: Salt yH2 O Where: y = a small whole number Steps in naming hydrates: (1) Name the salt (2) Give the numerical prefix for the value of y. (3) Add the word hydrate. Examples: CuSO4 5H2 O = copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate; ZnF2 4H2 O = zinc fluoride tetrahydrate.

Thanks to Professor Hoburg for allowing the adaptation of his handout on chemical nomenclature.

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