Nomenclature—Naming Compounds that Only Contain Nonmetals
Packet #17
Introduction
• Compounds that only contain nonmetals are named in a way that is somewhat similar to the rules of naming ionic compounds.
Rules for Naming Compounds that Contain Only Nonmetals
• The first element in the formula is named first.• The full element name is used
• The second element is named as though it was an anion.
• Prefixes are used to denote the number of the atoms present.• The prefix mono is never used for the naming
of the first element.• CO
• Named carbon monoxide NOT monocarbon monoxide
Example I
• BF3
• First element is boron
• Second element is named fluoride as though it is an anion
• Use of prefixes• Tri goes with
fluoride• Boron trifluoride
Example Set II
• NO• Nitrogen oxide
• N2O5
• Dinitrogen pentoxide• The a in penta was
dropped to allow easier pronounciation.
• CO2
• Carbon dioxide
• P4O6
• Tetraphosphorus hexaoxide
Review