Naming Compounds

PREFIX OR
SUFFIX

MEANING

EXAMPLE

Mono-

There is 1 atom of that type in that molecule

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Di-

There are 2 atoms of that type in the molecule

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Bi-

Hydrogen is present in the molecule

Sodium bicarbonate
(NaHCO3)

-ide

There are only 2 types of atoms present in the molecule

Lead oxide
(PbO)

-ate

There are 3 or more types of atoms in the molecule, and 1 type is oxygen

Calcium carbonate
(CaCO3)

VALENCY TABLE

  • Valency - the charge of an ion or radical which has either lost or gained electrons
  • Note that metals lose electrons easily to become positive ions. This is why most metals are good conductors of electricity.

1+

2+

3+

1-

2-

3-

H 1+

Mg 2+

Al 3+

F 1-

O 2-
oxide

PO4 3-
Phosphate

Na 1+

Ca 2+

Fe 3+
ferric

Cl 1-

S 2-
sulphide

 

Li 1+

Cu2+

 

Br1-

CO3 2-
carbonate

 

K 1+

Zn 2+

 

OH 1-
hydroxide

SO4 2-
sulphate

 

Ag 1+

Pb 2+

 

NO3 1-
Nitrate

 

 
      Nitrate    

NH4 1+
Ammonium

Fe 2+
ferrous

 

HCO3 1-
bicarbonate

 

 

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