Activity No.

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NAMING AND FORMULA WRITING OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

INTRODUCTION

When chemistry was a young science, the names and symbols of compounds
can be memorized with ease since the number of compounds was still relatively small.
Nowadays, chemists would have to devise a clear system because millions of chemical
substances have been discovered. The International Union of Pure and Applied
Chemistry (IUPAC) is responsible for creating and maintaining rules of chemical
nomenclature. Chemical nomenclature is derived from the Latin words nomen (name)
and calare (to call). Mastering the rules will prove beneficial almost immediately as we
proceed with our study of chemistry.

To jumpstart our venture into naming compounds, we must first distinguish

between inorganic and organic compounds. Organic compounds contain carbon and
hydrogen, usually in combination with oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur. All other compounds
are classified as inorganic compounds.

Inorganic compounds can be further divided into five categories: elements

forming cations and anions, ionic compounds, acids, bases, and molecular compounds.
These substances can be identified either by symbol/formula or by name.

In general, cations (positively charged ions) are metallic elements that lost
electron/s and anions (negatively charged ions) are non-metallic elements that gained
electron/s. Consequently, ionic compounds are generally combinations of metals and
non-metals. Ionic compounds are comprised of ions held together by attractive forces
that exist between positively and negatively charged ions. These ions are arranged in
three-dimensional structure of a solid lattice of the compound, as in NaCl (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Formation of an ionic compound. The transfer of an electron from a

Na atom to a Cl atom leads to the formation of a Na+ ion and a Cl- ion. These ions
are arranged in a lattice in solid sodium chloride, NaCl.

In contrast, molecular compounds are generally composed of nonmetals only,

as in H2O. Molecular compounds are comprised of individual molecules. A molecule is
the smallest portion that retains all of the properties of the molecular compound.
Molecules are not electrically charged.

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 For the purpose of this course, only inorganic substances are tackled. Organic
compounds would have to be discussed in a separate course.

GUIDELINES

A. Formulas of Elements

1. Familiarize the names and symbols of elements in the periodic table.

2. In writing the formula of an element, the first letter must be capitalized
and the second must be lowercased.
3. The metallic elements can form cations (positively-charged ions) which
often exist as a single atom (monoatomic).
4. The name of the resulting cation is the same as the metal. The charge is
indicated by a (+) supercript.

Na atom Na+ ion

sodium sodium
5. Metals that can form cations with different charges are mostly transition
metals. The positive charge is written in Roman numeral enclosed by a
parentheses after the name of the metal:
Name
Formula
New system Old system
Cr2+ chromium(II) chromous
Cr3+ chromium(III) chromic
Co2+ cobalt(II) cobaltous
Co3+ cobalt(III) cobaltic
Cu+ copper(I) cuprous
Cu2+ copper(II) cupric
Fe2+ iron(II) ferrous
Fe3+ iron(III) ferric
Pb2+ lead(II) plumbous
Pb4+ lead(IV) plumbic
Mn2+ manganese(II) manganous
Mn4+ manganese(IV) manganic
Sn2+ tin(II) stannous
Sn4+ tin(IV) stannic

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6. The ions formed by mercury is unusual because it is not monoatomic
despite being a metal ion. It is called the mercury(I) ion because it can be
thought of as two Hg+ ions bound together.
Name
Formula
New system Old system
Hg22+ mercury(I) mercurous
Hg2+ mercury(II) mercuric

7. There are two polyatomic cations formed from nonmetal atoms. Their
names ended in –ium:
Formula Name
NH4+ ammonium
H3O+ hydronium

8. Non-metallic elements can form anions (negatively-charged ions) which

can exist both as monoatomic and polyatomic ions.
9. The name of a monoatomic anion is formed by replacing the ending of the
name of the element with –ide. The charge is indicated by a (-) supercript.

Cl atom Cl- ion

chlorine chloride

10. The names of few polyatomic anions are also written with ending –ide:
Formula Name
_OH* hydroxide
CN- cyanide
O22- peroxide
*The negative charge is carried by the oxygen atom.

11. Polyatomic anions containing oxygen in their formula are called

oxyanions.

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12. The name of an oxyanion is coined by using –ate for representative
oxyanion of an element, and –ite for an oxyanion with the same charge but
has lesser one O atom:
Representative oxyanion Oxyanion with lesser O atom
Formula Name Formula Name
C2H3O2- acetate - -
AsO43- arsenate AsO33- arsenite
CO32- carbonate - -
ClO3- chlorate ClO2- chlorite
Cr2O72- dichromate - -
NO3- nitrate NO2- nitrite
MnO3- manganate - -
IO3- iodate - -
MnO4- permanganate - -
PO43- phosphate PO33- phosphite
SO42- sulfate SO32- sulfite

13. When one more O atom is present than that in the representative
oxyanion, prefix per- and suffix –ate are added. When there is two O atom
lesser than that in representative oxyanion, prefix hypo- and suffix –ite are
used:
Formula Name
ClO4- Perchlorate
ClO3- Chlorate
ClO2- Chlorite
ClO- Hypochlorite
IO4- Periodate
IO3- Iodate
IO2- Iodite
IO- Hypoiodite

Helpful note: C and N, both period 2 elements, can have only three O
atoms each; whereas P, S, and Cl, all period 3 elements, can have four O
atoms each. Across a period, the ionic charge increases from right to left.

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 Figure 2. The composition and charges of common oxyanions are related
to their location in the periodic table (Figure taken from: Brown, T.
Chemistry: The Central Science, 13th ed., page 104).

14. Anions derived by adding H+ to an oxyanion are named by adding as a

prefix the word hydrogen or dihydrogen, as appropriate:
Name
Formula
New system Old system
HCO3- hydrogen carbonate bicarbonate
HPO42- hydrogen phosphate biphosphate
H2PO4- dihydrogen phosphate -
HSO4- hydrogen sulfate bisulfate
HSO3- hydrogen sulfite bisulfite

Notice that each H+ added reduces the negative charge of the parent anion
bone.

15. Seven of the elements occur as diatomic molecules at room temperature

and pressure:
Formula Name
H2 Hydrogen
N2 Nitrogen
O2 Oxygen
F2 Fluorine
Cl2 Chlorine
Br2 Bromine
I2 Iodine

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B. Formulas of Ionic Compounds

1. In most cases, the formula of an ionic compound is composed of the cation

followed by the anion.
2. Cross indicate charges. The charge on one ion becomes the subscript of
the other ion (without the sign).

3. When the charges of radicals do not cancel (not equal), enclose the
radical/s in parenthesis followed by the appropriate subscript. A radical is
a group of elements that behaves as a unit with a charge that can be either
positive or negative.
Pb4+ SO42- → Pb2(SO4)4

4. Reduce the subscripts derived from cross indication into the smallest
whole number but do not change the subscript that appear in the
radical(s).
Pb2(SO4)4 → Pb(SO4)2

5. Omit writing “1” as a subscript;

Ba1I2 → BaI2

Na2S1 → Na2S

6. In cases where the sum of the positive and negative charges is equal to
zero, cross indication is not necessary.
Ba2+ CrO42- → BaCrO4

7. Eliminate the parenthesis of the radicals when the subscript is “1”.

Ag1(NO3)1 → AgNO3

K1(CN)1 → KCN

8. The name of the resulting compound is taken from the cation name
followed by the anion name:
Formula Name
Mg3N2 Magnesium nitride
Pb(SO4)2 Lead(II) sulfate
BaI2 Barrium iodide
Na2S Sodium sulfide
BaCrO4 Barium chromate
AgNO3 Silver nitrate
KCN Potassium cyanide

9. Never use prefixes such as mono, di, tri, etc. in naming ionic compounds.

10. Other common cations and anions are listed in the Appendix.

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C. Formula of Acids

1. Acids are ionic compounds that usually contain H + ion (proton) as the
cation and a non-metal or a combination of a central element with oxygen
as the anion.
2. Acids can be binary or ternary acids. Binary acid is composed of only two
atoms; one is the H combined with a nonmetal like Cl, Br, etc. A ternary
acid is composed of the three elements; one of which is the hydrogen as
the cation; a central element and an oxygen atom.
Binary acids Ternary acids
HF H2CO4
HCl H2SO4
HBr HSCN
HI H3PO4
H2S HNO2

3. For binary acids, the name is written by adding the prefix hydro- then
changing the –ide end of the anion name to –ic plus the word “acid”:
Anion Corresponding acid
F- fluoride HF hydrofluoric acid
Cl- chloride HCl hydrochloric acid
Br- bromide HBr hydrobromic acid
I- iodide HI hydroiodic acid
S2- sulfide H2S hydrosulfuric acid
Note: These rules apply to acids present in aqueous solution. Many acids have other
common names when present as a pure compound in the gaseous state. Examples of this are
hydrogen chloride gas HCl (g), hydrogen sulfide gas, H 2S (g), and hydrogen iodide gas, HI (g).

4. For ternary acids, the name is written by changing the anion name end –
ate and –ite to –ic and –ous, respectively. The term is followed by the word
“acid”:
Anion Corresponding acid
ClO4- perchlorate HClO4 perchloric acid
ClO3- chlorate HClO3 chloric acid
ClO2- chlorite HClO2 chlorous acid
ClO- hypochlorite HClO hypochlorous acid

D. Formula of Bases

1. Most bases are usually composed of metals as the cation and hydroxide ( -
OH) ion as the anion.
2. The name of a base comes from the name of the cation followed by the
word “hydroxide”:
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 Cation Corresponding base
Li+ lithium LiOH lithium hydroxide
Na+ sodium NaOH sodium hydroxide
Mg2+ magnesium Mg(OH)2 magnesium hydroxide
Al3+ aluminum Al(OH)3 aluminium hydroxide

3. Ammonia (NH3) is also a base but does not adhere to the guideline. This is
because, in aqueous solution, it produces –OH by bonding with one
hydrogen of water leaving –OH free which essentially makes the solution
basic.

E. Formula of Molecular Inorganic Compounds

1. Molecular inorganic compounds are formed from non-metal elements with

no true ions present.
2. In naming these compounds, the first element is written first followed by
the name of the second element with its end replaced with the suffix –ide:
Formula Name
CCl4 carbon tetrachloride
NO2 nitrogen dioxide

3. Use prefixes mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, etc to indicate the
number of atoms of each element.
Formula Name
ICI iodine monochloride
S2O3 disulfur trioxide

4. If the prefix ends in a or o and the word that follows starts with a or o, the
last vowel of the prefix should be dropped.
Formula Name
CO carbon monoxide

5. The prefix mono- is usually omitted from the first-named element.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the experiment, the student should be able to:

1. write the name and symbols of elements;

2. write the name and formula of inorganic compounds;
3. write the names and symbols of the elements that exists as diatomic
molecules at room temperature and pressure;
4. familiarize the terms: element, atom, compound, diatomic, protons,
neutrons, electrons, nucleus, atomic number, molecular compound, ionic
compound, ions, cations, anions.
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PROCEDURE

A. Guessing Game: Formula Writing Exercise

Using the guidelines outlined above, guess the chemical formula of the
compound that will be given by the instructor.

1. Once the card with the chemical name on it is held out, sound any alarm
tone to signal that a representative from the group is ready to answer.
2. The first group to sound their tone will get to guess the formula of the
compound.
3. If the answer of the first group is wrong, the card will be held out again
and the remaining groups will race to sound their respective alarms.
4. This game will use the chemical names listed under Part A of the activity
sheet.
5. Only ten (10) chemical names will be chosen from the list.
6. The group who scored the most will be given additional five (5) points for
this activity.
7. Organize the order of members who will take the guess.

B. Message Relay: Chemical Naming Exercise

Using the guidelines, predict the chemical name of the compound that will be
given by the instructor.

1. All members from each group will form an organized line.

2. All members will face backwards.
3. The closest member (representative member) to the teacher’s table will
know first what compound is given.
4. This game will use the chemical formula listed under Part B of the activity
sheet.
5. All representative members from each group will gather around the
teacher’s table for about two (2) minutes. They will use this time to make
their initial guess on the name of the compound.
6. At the signal of the instructor, each representative will relay their message
to the next member on the line.
7. This message should be passed by all members so that the last person on
the line could make the final prediction on the name of the compound.
8. The last person should immediately give the name to the instructor.
9. The first group to complete the task will be given point/s.
10. The representative member may be relieved from the task but he/she can
choose to coach his/her group. The last person will be the new
representative.
11. This will continue until all members get to be the representative.
12. The group who scored the most will be given additional five (5) points for
this activity.

REFERENCE

1. Brown, T. Chemistry: The Central Science, 13th ed., page 104

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Group No.: _______ Date Performed:___________________
Name: ____________________________ Date Submitted:___________________
Course and Year: _________________ Instructor: ________________________
Score: ___________/___ pts
Rating: __________

Activity No. 1
NAMING AND FORMULA WRITING OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

A. Formula Writing Exercises. Write the chemical formula for the ff. compounds.

1. potassium chlorate _______________ 21. potassium hydroxide ____________

2. mercury (II) oxide ______________ 22. aluminium phosphate _____________
3. aluminium oxide ______________ 23. hydrofluoric acid _____________
4. lead chloride ______________ 24. potassium sulphate _____________
5. magnesium phosphate_______________ 25. ammonium chloride _____________
6. iron (II) sulfate _______________ 26. sulphuric acid ______________
7. calcium bromide ______________ 27. phosphoric acid _____________
8. sodium hypochlorite ______________ 28. potassium biphosphate______________
9. potassium thiosulfate ______________ 29. hydrogen cyanide ______________
10. silver nitrate ______________ 30. chromium (II) chloride ______________
11. barium acetate ______________ 31. potassium fluoride ______________
12. copper (II) sulphate ______________ 32. potassium permanganate____________
13. chromium (III) chloride_______________ 33. cobalt (II) fluoride ______________
14. manganese (IV) oxide _______________ 34. lithium chloride ______________
15. sulphurous acid _______________ 35. sodium bicarbonate ______________
16. potassium dichromate_______________ 36. ammonium sulphate ______________
17. sodium chromate _______________ 37. mercury (I) chloride ______________
18. carbonic acid _______________ 38. zinc chloride ______________
19. nitrogen dioxide _______________ 39. tin (II) iodide ______________
20. aluminum sulfate _______________ 40. chromium (II) nitrite ______________

B. Naming Exercises. Provide the proper chemical name for the following compounds.

1. HClO _________________________ 21. Hg2SO4 __________________________________________

2. AlPO4 _________________________________________ 22. SO3 __________________________
3. SO2 _________________________________________ 23. CS2 __________________________________________

4. Fe2(SO4)3 _________________________________________ 24. Co2(CO3)3 __________________________________________

5. Ca(NO3)2 __________________________ 25. BaCl2 __________________________________________

6. KC2H3O2 __________________________________________ 26. Cu2O ___________________________

7. HI* __________________________ 27. Na3PO4 ___________________________________________
8. NH4Cl __________________________ 28. NaNO2 ___________________________________________
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9. HNO3 __________________________________________ 29. KClO3 ___________________________________________
10. NaHCO3 __________________________________________ 30. H2S* ___________________________
11. NO2 __________________________________________ 31. NaH ___________________________
12. SnO2 __________________________________________ 32. P2O3 ____________________________________________

13. HClO2 __________________________________________ 33. Cu2SO3 ____________________________________________

14. KMnO4 __________________________________________ 34. ZnCr2O7 ____________________________________________
15. FeSO3 ___________________________________________ 35. N2O ____________________________
16. Na2S2O3 ___________________________________________ 36. Hg2SO4 _____________________________________________
17. SnCl4 ____________________________________________ 37. CuCO3 _____________________________________________
18. CCl4 ___________________________________________ 38. HCN* _____________________________
19. Al2O3 ___________________________________________ 39. Pb(NO3)2_____________________________________________
20. H2SO3 ____________________________________________ 40. NaCl ____________________________
*Assume these to be in the aqueous form.

QUESTIONS

1. Encircle the elements below that are metals and underline those that are
non-metals.
C Mg Fe Cl H Si K I Zn F

2. Refer to Question no. 1 to answer the following:

a) List three cations that have a charge of +2

b) List three anions that have a charge of -1

3. What does the -ium ending on the name ammonium tell you about the
composition of the ion?

4. Based on the formula for the sulfate ion, predict the formula for (a) the selenate
ion and (b) the selenite ion. (Sulfur and selenium are both in group 6A and form
analogous oxyanions.)

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