List the elements in the same order as in the formula, use Table 2.6 "Prefixes for Indicating the Number of Atoms in Chemical Names" to identify the number of each type of atom present, and then indicate this quantity as a subscript to the right of that element when writing the formula. The prefix. Naming Covalent Compounds • When naming Covalent Compounds follow these IUPAC rules: 1. Another system of naming is needed. Why or why not? In the covalent naming system, the prefixes indicate the quantity of the atom. Is the compound NaHCO3 a hydrocarbon? ; For example, for CO the name will be carbon monoxide, and the final o of mono is dropped. First, notice that the compound is … Rule 1. google_ad_slot = "2147476616"; This chemistry video tutorial explains the process of naming covalent molecular compounds with prefixes. Write the name of each binary covalent compound. 2. The structures of some of the compounds in Example 8 and Example 9 are shown in Figure 2.14 along with the location of the “central atom” of each compound in the periodic table. 3. Examples: Give the name of each compound using the covalent prefixes and a regular periodic table. ", Chapter 8 "Ionic versus Covalent Bonding,", Table 2.7 "The First 10 Straight-Chain Alkanes", Table 2.8 "Some Common Acids That Do Not Contain Oxygen", information contact us at info@libretexts.org, status page at https://status.libretexts.org. The second element is named by taking the stem of the element name and adding the suffix -ide. Refer to Table 2.7 "The First 10 Straight-Chain Alkanes" and Table 2.8 "Some Common Acids That Do Not Contain Oxygen" and Figure 2.16 and identify the classes. Rules for naming simple covalent compounds: 1. Explain your reasoning. If you're unsure of yourself, you can review the nomenclature rules and prefixes for covalent compounds. The Learning Objective of this Module is to name covalent compounds that contain up to three elements. Generally Low Melting and Boiling Points According to naming rules, the types of compound that use prefixes in their names are (C) polyatomic ions. Place the elements in their proper order. Write the name for both elements. [ "article:topic", "showtoc:no", "license:ccbyncsa", "program:hidden" ], https://chem.libretexts.org/@app/auth/2/login?returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fchem.libretexts.org%2FBookshelves%2FGeneral_Chemistry%2FBook%253A_Chemistry_(Averill_and_Eldredge)%2F03%253A_Chemical_Reactions%2F3.6%253A_Naming_Covalent_Compounds, Table 2.6 "Prefixes for Indicating the Number of Atoms in Chemical Names", Chapter 7 "The Periodic Table and Periodic Trends", Chapter 8 "Ionic versus Covalent Bonding. For each structural formula, write the condensed formula and the name of the compound. Remember, it's only the final o or a. The final o or a of a prefix is often dropped when the element begins with a vowel. The first element is named first, using the elements name. Learn with flashcards, games, and more — for free. Second, look at the subscript of each element to determine which prefix to use. The prefix mono is never used for naming the first element of a compound. (The reasons for this convention will become clear in, Sulfur has no prefix, which means that each molecule has only one sulfur atom. Rules for Covalent Compounds. B If the compound contains oxygen, follow step 3a. 7. These prefixes are used in front of each elemental name in a compound. 1. We also acknowledge previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and 1413739. Second element is written with an –ide ending. Remember, ionic compounds are metal combined with a non-metal. Have questions or comments? In general, the prefix mono- is rarely used. Rules for Binary Covalent Compounds. If not, decide whether to use the common name or the systematic name. … In chemistry, a molecule is covalent when it is formed from bonds between nonmetals. //-->, Naming Covalent Compounds   Naming Binary Ionic Compounds  Polyatomic Ions Naming with Polyatomic Ions  Naming with Roman Numerals  Formula Writing  Naming Acids. A List the elements in order according to their positions in the periodic table. 6. For example, a molecule of chlorine trifluoride, ClF 3 contains 1 atom of chlorine and 3 atoms of fluorine. Table 4.1 “Numerical Prefixes for Naming Binary Covalent Compounds” lists these numerical prefixes. Naming covalent compounds involves the use of Greek prefixes. The only exception is binary compounds of oxygen with fluorine, which are named as oxygen fluorides. "Mono" is not used to name the first element. Here are the prefixes most often used in covalent compounds: mono=1 di=2 tri=3 tetra=4 penta=5 hexa=6 hepta=7 octa=8 nona=9 deca=10. For example, xenon hexafluoride would be written XF 6. As with ionic compounds, the system for naming covalent compounds enables chemists to write the molecular formula from the name and vice versa. This and the following section describe the rules for naming simple covalent compounds, beginning with inorganic compounds and then turning to simple organic compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen. When it is all NONMETALS; 2 Compounds vs Molecules. “Descriptive Prefixes” are added to the beginnings of the names of both elements. If two or more elements are in the same group, start with the bottom element and work up. For example, N2O4 is "dinitrogen tetroxide." Start studying Covalent Compound Prefixes 1-10. The procedure, diagrammed in Figure 2.13 consists of the following steps: Figure 2.13 Naming a Covalent Inorganic Compound. prefixes used in naming elements in covalent compounds. 2. 11. The order of the elements in the name of BrF3, bromine trifluoride, is determined by the fact that bromine lies below fluorine in Group 17. Steps to Naming Covalent Compounds. ” mono-” indicates one, “di-” indicates two, “tri-” is three, “tetra-” is four, “penta-” is five, and “hexa-” is six, “hepta-” is seven, “octo-” is eight, “nona-” is nine, and “deca” is ten. When naming molecular compounds prefixes are used to dictate the number of a given element present in the compound.