Metals are Named First:

• In a compound, if a metal is present, it is written first in the name.

Binary Compounds (Two Elements):

• Names end in "-ide".

• Examples:

  • Sodium chloride (NaCl)

  • Calcium bromide (CaBr₂)

Compounds with Polyatomic Ions (Oxygen-Containing Ions):

• Names often end in "-ate".

• Examples:

  • Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)

  • Potassium nitrate (KNO₃)

Use of Prefixes for Multiple Atoms:

• Prefixes indicate the number of atoms when two elements can form multiple compounds.

• Examples:

  • Carbon monoxide (CO)

  • Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Naming Mineral Acids:

• Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a common example.

• Some compounds have historical names that don’t follow these rules.

• Examples:

  • Water (H₂O)