Naming Covalent Compounds

Question 1

How are covalent compounds named?

Answer 1

Named using prefixes.

Question 2

What is a prefix?

Answer 2

It is a tiny word added in front of another word to indicate quantity.

Question 3

What are the 10 prefixes for covalent compounds?

Answer 3

. Mono = 1
. Di = 2
. Tri = 3
. Tetra = 4
. Penta = 5
. Hexa = 6
. Hepta = 7
. Octa = 8
. Nona = 9
. Deca = 10

Question 4

What are 2 examples of covalent compound prefixes?

Answer 4

1. CO = Carbon monoxide (“mono” means 1 so there is 1 oxygen atom)
2. CO2 = Carbon dioxide ( “dio” means 2 so there is 2 oxygen atoms)
   3.

Question 5

What are covalent compounds?

Answer 5

2 non-metals

Question 6

What are the steps to the prefix system?

Answer 6

Step 1: Write the name and prefix for the first element
* Only use mono prefix on the 2nd element*

Step 2: Write the name and prefix of the 2nd element. Change the ending to “ide.”

Step 3: Tidy it up

Question 7

The molecular compound P4S3 is used on match tips. What is the chemical name of P4S3?

Answer 7

4 = Tetra
3 = Tri
Tetraphosphorus trisulfide
Not trisulfur

Question 8

NH3 has the common name “ammonia” and is used in some cleaning solutions. What is the IUPAC name of ammonia?

Answer 8

3 = Tri
*Mono doesn’t go on the 1st element
Nitrogen Trihydride

Question 9

What is the chemical name for N2O4?

Answer 9

2 = Di
4 = Tetra
Dinitrogen tetraoxide

Question 10

What is the IUPAC name for XeF6?

Answer 10

6 = Hexa
*Mono doesn’t go on 1st element
Xenon hexafluoride