Naming and Writing Ionic
Formulas
Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as Benjamin Cummings
1
Naming Ionic Compounds with Two Elements
To name a compound
that contains two
elements,
•identify the cation and
anion.
•name the cation first
followed by the name
of the anion.
2
Charges of Representative Elements
Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as Benjamin Cummings
3
Names of Some Common Ions
Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as Benjamin Cummings
4
Learning Check
Complete the names of the following ions.
Ba2+ Al3+ K+
_________ __________ _________
N3 O2 F
_________ __________ _________
P3 S2 Cl
_________ __________ _________
5
Solution
Ba2+ Al3+ K+
barium aluminum potassium
N3 O2 F
nitride oxide fluoride
P3 S2 Cl
phosphide sulfide chloride
6
Examples of Ionic Compounds with Two Elements
Formula Ions Name
cation anion
NaCl Na+ Cl- sodium chloride
K2S K+ S2- potassium sulfide
MgO Mg2+ O2- magnesium oxide
CaI2 Ca2+ I- calcium iodide
Al2O3 Al3+ O2- aluminum oxide
7
Learning Check
Write the names of the following compounds.
1) CaO ___________
2) KBr ___________
3) Al2O3___________
4) MgCl2___________
8
Solution
Write the names of the following compounds:
1) CaO calcium oxide
2) KBr potassium bromide
3) Al2O3 aluminum oxide
4) MgCl2 magnesium chloride
9
Learning Check
Write the formulas and names for compounds of the
following ions:
Br− S2− N3−
Na+
Al3+
10
Solution
Br− S2− N3−
NaBr Na2S Na3N
sodium sodium sodium
Na+
bromide sulfide nitride
AlBr3 Al2S3 AlN
aluminum aluminum aluminum
bromide sulfide nitride
Al3+
11
Transition Metals form Positive Ions
Most transition metals and Group 4(14) metals form 2 or
more positive ions.
Zn2+, Ag+, and Cd2+ form only one ion.
12
Metals that form more than One Cation
The name of metals with two or more positive ions
(cations) use a Roman numeral to identify ionic charge.
Lead Pb2+ lead(II)
Pb4+ lead(IV)
Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as Benjamin Cummings
13
Naming Ionic Compounds with Variable Charge Metals
Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as Benjamin Cummings
14
Naming Variable Charge Metals
Transition metals
with two different
ions use a Roman
numeral after the
name of the metal
to indicate ionic
charge.
15
Naming FeCl2
To name FeCl2
1. Determine the charge of the cation using the charge
of the anion (Cl-).
Fe ion + 2 Cl- = Fe ion + 2- = 0
Fe ion = 2+
2. Name the cation by the element name and add a
Roman numeral in parenthesis to show its charge.
Fe2+ = iron(II)
3. Write the anion with an ide ending.
FeCl2 = iron(II) chloride
16
Naming Cr2O3
To name Cr2O3
1. Determine the charge of cation from the anion (O2-).
2 Cr ions + 3 O2- = 0
2 Cr ions + 3(2-) = 0
2 Cr ions - 6 = 0
2 Cr ions = +6
Cr ion = 3+ = Cr3+
2. Name the cation by the element name and add a
Roman numeral in parenthesis to show its charge.
Cr3+ = chromium(III)
3. Write the anion with an ide ending.
chromium(III) oxide = Cr2O3
17
Learning Check
Select the correct name for each.
A. Fe2S3
1) iron sulfide
2) iron(II) sulfide
3) iron(III) sulfide
B. CuO
1) copper oxide
2) copper(I) oxide
3) copper(II) oxide
18
Solution
Select the correct name for each.
A. Fe2S3
3) iron (III) sulfide Fe3+ S2-
B. CuO
3) copper (II) oxide Cu2+ O2-
19
Guide to Writing Formulas from the Name
Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as Benjamin Cummings
20
Writing Formulas
Write a formula for potassium sulfide.
1. Identify the cation and anion.
potassium = K+
sulfide = S2−
2. Balance the charges.
K+ S2−
K+
2(1+) + 2(1-) = 0
3. 2 K+ and 1 S2− = K2S
21
Writing Formulas
Write a formula for iron(III) chloride.
1. Identify the cation and anion.
iron (III) = Fe3+ (III = charge of 3+)
chloride = Cl−
2. Balance the charges.
Fe3+ Cl−
Cl− = (3+) + 3(1-) = 0
Cl−
3. 1 Fe3+ and 3 Cl− = FeCl3
22
Learning Check
What is the correct formula for each of the following?
A. Copper(I) nitride
1) CuN 2) CuN3 3) Cu3N
B. Lead(IV) oxide
1) PbO2 2) PbO 3) Pb2O4
23
Solution
The correct formula is
A. Copper (I) nitride
3) Cu3N Need 3Cu+ and N3-
B. Lead (IV) oxide
1) PbO2 Need Pb4+ and 2O2-
24
Seat Work
25
Write the formula of the ff. compound
• Copper (I) oxide
• Copper (II) oxide
• Tin (II) Fluoride
• Tin (IV) Fluoride
• Lead (II) oxide
• Iron (II) chloride
• Iron (III) Fluoride
• Lead (IV) chloride
• Iron (III) oxide
• Tin (II) oxide
26
Write the name of the ff. compound
• Copper (I) oxide
• Copper (II) oxide
• Tin (II) Fluoride
• Tin (IV) Fluoride
• Lead (II) oxide
• Iron (II) chloride
• Iron (III) chloride
• Lead (IV) chloride
• Iron (III) oxide
• Tin (II) oxide
27
