Name: ______

Notes for learning the “Nomenclature” (official naming system) forBinary Molecular Substances

When given a formula for a molecular substance,first determine if it is a formula for one of the 7 diatomic elements, or if it is the formula for a binary compound.

If you are given the formula for a molecular element, such as “H2”, call it the element’s name, as you have been doing.

Examples: H2 = “hydrogen”, N2 = “nitrogen”, O2 = “oxygen”, F2 = “fluorine”, Cl2 = “chlorine”, Br2 = bromine, I2 = iodine.

If you are given a formula for a binary molecular compound, you may notice that the LESS electronegative element (the more electropositive element) always come firsts. So, you should address the name of that element first.

Name the first element in 2 steps:

  1. Write down a prefix IF there is more than one atom of the first element in the formula.

1.Prefix choices: 2 = di, 3 = tri, 4 = tetra, 5 = penta, 6 = hexa, 7 = hepta, 8= octa, 9 = nona, 10 = deca.

11 = undeca, 12 = dodeca.

  1. Write the entire element’s name (as it is written on the periodic table)

Example: for PCl3the molecule’s name begins with “phosphorus”

Example: for H2Othe molecule’s name begins with “dihydrogen”

Example: for OCl2the molecule’s name begins with “oxygen”

Example: for ClF2the molecule’s name begins with “chlorine”

Example: for Cl2Othe molecule’s name begins with “dichlorine”

Name the second element in 3 steps:

1. Write down a prefix, EVEN IF there is only 1 atom of the first element in the formula. 1 = mono. Other prefixes same as above.

2. Write down the root (or stem) of the second element’s name (similar to what you used for ionic compound anions)

3. Write down the ending replacement, “-ide”.

Example: for PCl3the molecule’s entire name is “phosphorus trichloride”

Example: for H2Othe molecule’s entire name is “dihydrogen monoxide”

Example: for OCl2the molecule’s entire name is “oxygen dichloride”

Example: for ClF2the molecule’s entire name is “chlorine difluoride”

Example: for Cl2Othe molecule’s entire name is “dichlorine monoxide”

Confusing Ideas:

The element chlorine’s molecular formula is “Cl2” and to name this formula you should write, “chlorine”.

But, when “Cl2” is the second part of a binary molecular compound, such as in “OCl2”, the “Cl2” part is called “dichloride”.

And, when “Cl2” is the first part of a binary molecular compound such as in “Cl2O”, the “Cl2” part is called “dichlorine”.

Writing a formula when given a name ….Think backwards.

  1. Are you given the name of a binary molecular compound or a diatomic element?
  2. If it’s a diatomic element, Write down the symbol (from the periodic table) and add a subscript of 2.

Example: Write the formula for “hydrogen”. Answer: H2

  1. Are you given the name of a binary molecular compound?
  2. Write down the symbol of the 1st element, follow it by a subscript (if a prefix was given as part of its name).
  3. Write down the symbol of the 2nd element, follow it by a subscript (if the prefix indicates more than 1 atom).

If you need further clarification in order to begin the practice sheet, you should read pp. 268 – 270 in your textbook.

There will be ~ 30 points of naming and formula writing for molecular substances on the unit 3 test.

Name: ______

Practice naming the following molecular substances:Practice writing formulas for the following molecular substances:

1.PCl3

2.O2

3.Si2Br6

4.CCl4

5.H2O

6.P2O5

7.Cl2

8.SiO2

9.P4F5

10.N2O5

11.N2O3

12.SF6

13.SO3

14.ClF3

15.SeO2

16.CO2

17.H2

18.P4S5

19.N2O5

20.CO

21.N2

22.SF6

23.SbBr3

24.ClO2

25.PI3