Chemical Nomenclature
Chemical nomenclature is the systematic naming of compounds. Learn IUPAC rules for ionic compounds, covalent compounds, acids, organic molecules, and coordination compounds.
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Study Tips
- ✓Learn common polyatomic ions and their charges
- ✓For transition metals, use Roman numerals to show oxidation state
- ✓Covalent compounds use Greek prefixes (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.)
- ✓For organic compounds, find the longest carbon chain first
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common errors include forgetting Roman numerals for transition metals, confusing -ide, -ite, and -ate endings for polyatomic ions, using prefixes in ionic compound names (don't!), and numbering organic chains from the wrong end.
Chemical Nomenclature FAQs
Common questions about chemical nomenclature
Use Roman numerals for cations that can have multiple oxidation states, primarily transition metals. For example, FeCl2 is iron(II) chloride and FeCl3 is iron(III) chloride. Metals with only one common charge (like Na, Ca) don't need Roman numerals.
Binary acids (no oxygen): hydro-____-ic acid (HCl = hydrochloric acid). Oxyacids: -ate polyatomic ion becomes -ic acid, -ite becomes -ous acid. H2SO4 (from sulfate) = sulfuric acid. H2SO3 (from sulfite) = sulfurous acid.
Highest to lowest: carboxylic acid > ester > amide > aldehyde > ketone > alcohol > amine > alkene > alkyne > alkane. The highest priority group determines the suffix, others become prefixes.
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