Writing and Naming Ionic Compounds

Introduction
Everyone is familiar with salt—whether it is rock salt, sea salt, or iodized salt. It is an important commodity in
cooking and baking. Typically, salt is associated with the chemical compound sodium chloride. Although it is true
that sodium chloride is indeed an example of salt, it is not the only salt there is. The International Union of Pure
and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) defines salt as a chemical compound consisting of an assembly of cations and
anions. The term salt, therefore, is interchangeable with the term ionic compound.

You have learned from previous lessons that ions are charged species formed when atoms lose or gain
electrons. In this lesson, you will learn that positively charged cations can combine with negatively charged
anions to form ionic compounds. You will also learn how to write the formula and provide the names of these
ionic compounds.

Learn about It!

Formation of Ionic Compounds

You have learned from the previous lessons that atoms are neutral entities. They do not have any charges.
However, when they lose or gain electrons, they become ions. A cation is formed when an

atom loses one or more electrons while an anion is formed when an atom gains one or more electrons. This
means that cations have a net positive charge while anions have a net negative charge.
 What are ionic compounds and how are they formed?

When a cation forms a chemical bond with an anion, they produce an ionic compound. Ionic compounds are
compounds that are made of cations and anions assembled together in a crystal lattice. The bond that holds
these ions together in the lattice is called the ionic bond.

Ionic bonds are formed when there is an electron transfer between two or more atoms. This electron transfer
causes one atom to become a cation and the other to become an anion. Hence, ionic bonds are stabilized by
electrostatic forces of attraction between the positively charged cation and the negatively charged anion.

Let us consider the formation of sodium chloride as an example. When a sodium atom forms the sodium ion, it
loses one electron in its valence shell. This single electron is transferred to the valence shell of a chlorine atom,
allowing it to become the chloride ion. As a result, sodium chloride is formed, and an ionic bond is formed
between the positively charged sodium ion and the negatively charged chloride ion.

Writing Formulas of Ionic Compounds

Sodium chloride is formed when a sodium ion forms an ionic bond with a chloride ion in a 1:1 ratio. This is
because the sodium ion has a +1 charge. Hence, only one sodium ion is required to neutralize the -1 charge of
the chloride ion. For this reason, the chemical formula of sodium chloride is written as NaCl.

How are chemical formulas of ionic compounds determined?

Fig. 5.3.4. Formation of sodium chloride

The most important consideration in writing the chemical formulas of ionic compounds is their electrical neutrality.
When a cation and an anion combine, they must form an ionic compound with a net charge of zero.
Common Cations and Anions and Their Charge States

Prior to learning the steps in writing formulas of ionic compounds, it is helpful to know how to predict the charge
of an element. There are several rules in predicting the charge states of elements. For representative elements,
they typically follow the periodic group that the element belongs to:

● group 1A elements: +1 charge

● group 2A elements: +2 charge

● group 3A elements: +3 charge

● group 4A elements: C, Si, and Ge rarely form cations, while Sn and Pb can form multiple ions

● group 5A elements: -3 charge

● group 6A elements: -2 charge

● group 7A elements: -1 charge

On the other hand, transition elements are capable of forming multiple charge states because they can lose
varying numbers of electrons in their valence orbitals. Some common transition elements and their charge states
are shown below:

● cadmium: Cd2+ ● manganese: Mn2+

● chromium: Cr2+, Cr3+ ● mercury: Hg2 2+, Hg2+

● cobalt: Co2+, Co3+ ● nickel: Ni2+, Ni3+

● copper: Cu+, Cu2+ ● platinum: Pt2+, Pt4+

● gold: Au+, Au3+ ● silver: Ag+

● iron: Fe2+, Fe3+ ● zinc: Zn2+

 Did You Know?

The Stock system of naming cations with multiple charge states was
developed by the German chemist Alfred Stock (1876-1946) and first
published in 1919. It was designed to provide a simpler and clearer approach
to naming cations with multiple charge states than the more traditional way of
naming using the prefixes -ous and-ic.

Formulas of Ionic Compounds with Monatomic Ions

Ionic compounds that are composed of monatomic ions are called binary compounds. To write the chemical
formula of binary compounds, we must consider their electrical neutrality. Let us consider calcium chloride as an
example. Calcium belongs to Group 2 of the periodic table. Hence, it forms a +2 charge when it loses two
electrons and is written as Ca2+. Meanwhile, chlorine forms a -1 charge when it gains one electron and is written
as Cl-. When calcium chloride is formed, two Cl- ions are required for each Ca2+ in order to maintain electrical
neutrality. Thus, calcium chloride is written as CaCl2.

Tips

You can use the criss-cross method in

writing the chemical formula of ionic
compounds. To use this method, take the
absolute value of the cation’s charge and use
it as the subscript of the anion in the chemical
formula. Then, take the absolute value of the
anion’s charge and use it as the subscript of
the cation in the chemical formula. Finally,
reduce the subscripts to their simplest ratio.
Formulas of Ionic Compounds with Polyatomic Ions
In writing the chemical formulas of ionic compounds with polyatomic ions, additional consideration is required.
Polyatomic ions are charged chemical species composed of two or more atoms that are covalently bonded to
each other. For example, nitrate (NO3-) is a polyatomic anion.

When Ca2+ and NO3- combine together, the criss-cross method tells us that the resulting ionic compound is
written as CaNO32. We can immediately see that the chemical formula looks strange as it may ambiguously
imply that there are 32 oxygen atoms in the ionic compound. To resolve this, we place the NO 3- ion in
parentheses before putting in the subscript. That is, the resulting ionic compound is written as Ca(NO 3)2.

Fig. 5.3.5. In writing the chemical formula of ionic compounds with polyatomic ions, parentheses are required
before writing in the subscript.

If the subscript of the polyatomic ion is 1, then there is no need to write 1 nor to put in parentheses. For example,
Na+ and SO42- combine to form Na2SO4. The SO42- ion is not in parentheses because its subscript is 1 using
the criss-cross method.

Fig. 5.3.6. For ionic compounds with polyatomic ions, there is no need to include parentheses if the
subscript is 1.

Formulas of Acids and Their Salts

There are many theories to define an acid but the simplest one states that an acid is a molecule or ion that
produces hydrogen ions (also written as H+) when dissolved in water. For instance, hydrogen
chloride (also written as HCl) is a gaseous molecule that dissociates into H + and Cl- in the presence of water.
Hence, HCl is considered an acid.

To write the chemical formula of acids, the correct number of hydrogen ions is supplied in order to neutralize the
anion. So essentially, the criss-cross method is still applicable. In the case of HCl for example, one H + ion is
required to neutralize the -1 charge of one Cl- ion. For this reason, its chemical formula is written as HCl. In a
similar way, two H+ ions are required to neutralize the -2 charge of the CO32- ion. Thus, its chemical formula is
written as H2CO3.

Hydrogen-containing salts are also considered as acids. For example, NaHCO 3 is a salt composed of the Na +

ion and the HCO3- ion. The HCO3- ion is considered acidic because it can still further dissociate into the H + ion

and the CO32- ion.

To write the chemical formula of hydrogen-containing salts, the criss-cross method is again applied. The
necessary number of cations is supplied to counter the negative charge of the anion.

How does the electrical neutrality of ionic

compounds manifest in their chemical formula?

Let’s Practice!
Example 1

Write the chemical formula for potassium sulfide.

Solution

Step 1: Identify the cation and anion from the given name of the compound.

The cation is potassium and the anion is sulfide.

 Step 2: Write the chemical formulas of the cation and anion.

The potassium ion is written as K+. The sulfide ion is written as S2-.

Step 3: Write the chemical formula of the compound using the criss-cross method.

The chemical formula of potassium sulfide is K2S.

Try It!
Write the chemical formula for strontium oxide.

Example 2

Write the chemical formula for cobalt (III) fluoride.

Solution

Step 1: Identify the cation and anion from the given name of the compound.

The cation is cobalt (III) and the anion is fluoride.

Step 2: Write the chemical formulas of the cation and anion.

The cobalt (III) ion is written as Co3+. The fluoride ion is written as F-.

Step 3: Write the chemical formula of the compound using the criss-cross method.
 The chemical formula of cobalt (III) fluoride is CoF3.

Try It!

Write the chemical formula for stannous chloride.

Example 3
Write the chemical formula for chromium (III) nitrate.

Solution

Step 1: Identify the cation and anion from the given name of the compound.

The cation is chromium (III) and the anion is nitrate.

Step 2: Write the chemical formulas of the cation and anion.

The chromium (III) ion is written as Cr3+. The nitrate ion is written as NO3-.

Step 3: Write the chemical formula of the compound using the criss-cross method.

The chemical formula of chromium (III) nitrate is Cr(NO3)3.

 3 Try It!

Write the chemical formula for mercurous phosphate.

Naming Ionic Compounds

How are ionic compounds named?

In general, ionic compounds are named by writing down the name of the cation and then the name of the anion.

It is, therefore, imperative to know first how to name cations and anions.

Nomenclature of Common Cations and Anions

Monatomic cations with only one charge state are named by writing their element name and then adding the
word ion. For example, Na+ is named sodium ion while Zn2+ is named zinc ion.

For monatomic cations with several charge states, different rules are applied to distinguish the different charge
states. Traditionally, these cations are named by adding the suffixes -ous and -ic to the stem name of the
element. The suffix -ous is used for the cation with a lower charge state while the suffix -ic is used for the cation
with the higher charge state. Usually, the stem name is taken from the element’s Latin name. Thus, Fe 2+ is

named as the ferrous ion while Fe3+ is named as the ferric ion.

Recently, however, a more modern naming system is used to distinguish cations with multiple charge states. In
this system called the Stock system, the cation’s charge state is written as Roman numerals enclosed in
parentheses beside the element’s name. Thus, Fe 2+ is named as the iron (II) ion while Fe 3+ is named as the iron
(III) ion.

Monatomic anions are named by adding the suffix -ide to the stem name of the element.

Thus, Cl- is named as chloride, S2- is named as sulfide, P3- is named as phosphide, and so on.
Nomenclature of Binary Compounds
Binary compounds are compounds that contain only two types of elements. Hence, it is formed when a
monatomic cation forms an ionic bond with a monatomic anion. An example of this would be NaCl.

As mentioned previously, ionic compounds are named by writing the cation name first, followed by the anion
name. Thus, NaCl is named as sodium chloride and CuCl2 is named as copper (II) chloride or cupric chloride.

Nomenclature of Polyatomic Compounds

Polyatomic compounds are compounds with three or more types of elements. Usually, it contains either a
polyatomic cation or a polyatomic anion or both.

Table 5.3.1. Names of common cations with multiple charge states

Traditional
Stock Naming
Element Stem Name Charge State Naming
System
System

+2 chromous chromium (II)

chromium chrom-

+3 chromic chromium (III)

+2 cobaltous cobalt (II)

cobalt cobalt-

+3 cobaltic cobalt (III)

+1 cuprous copper (I)

copper cupr-

+2 cupric copper (II)

+1 aurous gold (I)

gold aur-
 +3 auric gold (III)

+2 ferrous iron (II)

iron ferr-

+3 ferric iron (III)

 +1 mercurous mercury (I)

mercury mercur-

+2 mercuric mercury (II)

+2 nickelous nickel (II)

nickel nickel-

+3 nickelic nickel (III)

Polyatomic anions usually come in the form of oxoanions. These are ions that contain both a nonmetal element
and oxygen. For example, CO32- is an oxoanion because it contains the nonmetal element carbon and oxygen.

Oxoanions are named by appending the suffix -ate to the element’s stem name. Thus, CO32-is called carbonate.
If the nonmetal can form two oxyanions by varying the number of oxygens present, then the one with a lower
number of oxygen atoms is appended with the suffix -ite. For example, SO32- is called sulfite because it only has

three oxygen atoms while SO42- is called sulfate because it contains four oxygen atoms.

If more than two oxoanions are possible, then the following rules are applied:

● The oxoanion with the lowest number of oxygen atoms is appended with the prefix hypo- and
the suffix -ite (e.g. ClO- is called hypochlorite).
● The next oxoanion with one more oxygen atom is appended with the suffix -ite without the prefix
hypo- (e.g. ClO2- is called chlorite).
● The next oxoanion with one more oxygen atom is appended with the suffix -ate (e.g. ClO3- is
called chlorate).
● The oxoanion with the greatest number of oxygen atoms is appended with the prefix per- and

the suffix -ate (e.g. ClO4- is called perchlorate).

In naming polyatomic compounds, the same rules are applied: the cation is named first, followed by the anion.
Thus, Na2SO3 is called sodium sulfite while Na 2SO4 is called sodium sulfate. In a similar way, CuSO 4 is called
copper (II) sulfate or cupric sulfate.
Nomenclature of Acids and Their Salts

For binary acids, the prefix hydro- and the suffix -ic are appended to the stem name of the element. Therefore,
HCl(aq) is called hydrochloric acid while HBr(aq) is called hydrobromic acid. It is important to take note that the
acid should have the subscript (aq) to indicate that it is dissolved in water. Without that indication, the acid should
be named as a molecule.

For acids of oxoanions, naming involves replacing the suffix -ite with -ous and replacing the suffix -ate with -ic.
Thus, HClO becomes hypochlorous acid, HClO 2 becomes chlorous acid, HClO3 becomes chloric acid, and
HClO4 becomes perchloric acid.

For hydrogen-containing acidic salts, naming involves either the addition of the word hydrogen after the cation
name or the addition of the prefix bi- to the anion name. Thus NaHCO3 is either called sodium hydrogen
carbonate or sodium bicarbonate. If more than one type of hydrogen-containing salt is possible for an element,
then the prefixes di-, tri-, tetra-, and so on, are added to hydrogen. For example, NaH 2PO4 is called sodium
dihydrogen phosphate and Na2HPO4 is called sodium hydrogen phosphate.

Let’s Practice!

Example 4

Name the ionic compound with the chemical formula CaS.

Solution

Step 1: Identify the cation and anion using the reverse of the Stock method.

The cation of CaS is Ca2+ and the anion is S2-.

Step 2: Name the cation and anion.

Ca2+ is named as calcium ion. S2- is named as sulfide.

Step 3: Name the ionic compound by combining the cation name and anion name.

CaS is named as calcium sulfide.

 4 Try It!

Name the ionic compound with the chemical formula Al2O3.

Example 5

Name the ionic compound with the chemical formula Mn2O3.

Solution

Step 1: Identify the cation and anion using the reverse of the Stock method.

The cation of Mn2O3 is Mn3+ and the anion is O2-.

Step 2: Name the cation and anion.

Mn3+ is named as manganese (III) ion. O2- is named as oxide.

Step 3: Name the ionic compound by combining the cation name and anion name.

Mn2O3 is named as manganese (III) oxide.

5
5 Try It!

Name the ionic compound with the chemical formula PbCl4.

Example 5

Name the ionic compound with the chemical formula Mn2O3.

Solution

Step 1: Identify the cation and anion using the reverse of the Stock method.

The cation of Mn2O3 is Mn3+ and the anion is O2-.

Step 2: Name the cation and anion.

Mn3+ is named as manganese (III) ion. O2- is named as oxide.

Step 3: Name the ionic compound by combining the cation name and anion name.

Mn2O3 is named as manganese (III) oxide.

5 Try It!

Name the ionic compound with the chemical formula PbCl4.

Example 6

Name the ionic compound with the chemical formula (NH 4)2SO3.

Solution

Step 1: Identify the cation and anion using the reverse of the Stock method.

The cation of (NH4)2SO3 is NH4+ and the anion is SO32-.

Step 2: Name the cation and anion.

NH4+ is named as ammonium ion. SO32- is named as sulfite.

Step 3: Name the ionic compound by combining the cation name and anion name.

(NH4)2SO3 is named as ammonium sulfite.

6 Try It!
Name the ionic compound with the chemical formula Sb(H2PO4)5.
 Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● Ionic compounds are compounds that are made of cations and anions assembled
together in a crystal lattice. Ionic bonds hold the ions together in an ionic compound.
They are formed when one or more electrons are transferred from the cation to the anion.

● In writing the chemical formula of ionic compounds, the net charge of the cation should

be equal to the net charge of the anion because ionic compounds are neutral entities.

● The criss-cross method is one technique to easily determine the chemical formula of
an ionic compound.

● Ionic compounds are named by writing down the name of the cation first, followed by
the name of the anion.

● Some monatomic cations can have multiple charge states. In naming these cations,
either the traditional system or the Stock system may be used to distinguish the
charge states from each other.

● Oxoanions are polyatomic ions that contain a nonmetal element and oxygen. These are
named by appending the appropriate prefixes or suffixes to the element’s stem name.

● Acids are compounds that produce H+ ions when dissolved in water. Some hydrogen-
containing salts are considered acidic.

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