1. Nomenclature
How we name stuff

2. Ionic or Covalent If the first element is a metal, ionic
Cation: the first, and positive
Anion: the second and negative
If the first element is a nonmetal, covalent.
If the first element is N, check and see if its actually NH4, in which case its ionic.

3. Ionic: the cation
If the cation is one of which you know the charge, write its name.
Group 1, Group 2, Ag, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In
If the cation is not one of which you know its charge, you must use a Roman numeral to indicate its charge.

4. Ionic: the anion
If the anion is a nonmetal, write its name with an –ide ending.
If the anion is a polyatomic anion, write its name.

5. Examples
NaCl
NH4Cl
CaCl2
CuCl2
NaNO3
NaOH
Ca(OH)2

6. Solutions NaCl sodium chloride NH4Cl ammonium chloride
CaCl2 Calcium Chloride
CuCl2 Copper II chloride or cupric chloride
NaNO3 sodium nitrate
NaOH sodium hydroxide
Ca(OH)2 calcium hydroxide

7. Covalent
Write name of first element. If its subscript is greater than 1, you must use a prefix. If the subscript is one, never use a prefix
Write the name of the second element. Always use a prefix and the –ide ending.

8. Prefixes One mono Two di Three tri Four tetra Five penta Six hexa
Seven hepta
Eight octa
Nine nona
Ten deca

9. Examples CO
CO2
P2O5

10. Solutions CO carbon monoxide CO2 carbon dioxide
P2O5 diphosphorus pentoxide

11. Acids Always H + an anion
If anion contains no oxygen, then follow binary acid rules
If anion contains oxygen (most polyatomic anions), follow oxy acid rules

12. Binary Prefix with hydro Name anion with an –ic suffix
Don’t forget to say acid
Ex.
HCl
H2S
HCN

13. Oxyacids If anion ends in -ate, replace with –ic acid
If anion ends in –ite, replace with –ous acid
Examples
H2SO4
H2CO3
HNO3
HNO2

14. Modification warning In some cases, the anion name has to be modified.
Ex: H2SO4 the anion name is sulfate, but the acid is sulfuric, not sulfic. You will get used to this by using the names. And phosphate becomes phosphoric.