1.14 Chemical nomenclature  (Page 4/8)

Binary acids

Some compounds containing hydrogen are members of an important class of substances known as acids. The chemistry of these compounds is explored in more detail in later chapters of this text, but for now, it will suffice to note that many acids release hydrogen ions, H ⁺ , when dissolved in water. To denote this distinct chemical property, a mixture of water with an acid is given a name derived from the compound’s name. If the compound is a binary acid    (comprised of hydrogen and one other nonmetallic element):

1. The word “hydrogen” is changed to the prefix hydro-
2. The other nonmetallic element name is modified by adding the suffix - ic
3. The word “acid” is added as a second word

For example, when the gas HCl (hydrogen chloride) is dissolved in water, the solution is called hydrochloric acid . Several other examples of this nomenclature are shown in [link] .

Oxyacids

Many compounds containing three or more elements (such as organic compounds or coordination compounds) are subject to specialized nomenclature rules that you will learn later. However, we will briefly discuss the important compounds known as oxyacids , compounds that contain hydrogen, oxygen, and at least one other element, and are bonded in such a way as to impart acidic properties to the compound (you will learn the details of this in a later chapter). Typical oxyacids consist of hydrogen combined with a polyatomic, oxygen-containing ion. To name oxyacids:

1. Omit “hydrogen”
2. Start with the root name of the anion
3. Replace – ate with – ic , or – ite with – ous
4. Add “acid”

For example, consider H ₂ CO ₃ (which you might be tempted to call “hydrogen carbonate”). To name this correctly, “hydrogen” is omitted; the – ate of carbonate is replace with – ic ; and acid is added—so its name is carbonic acid. Other examples are given in [link] . There are some exceptions to the general naming method (e.g., H ₂ SO ₄ is called sulfuric acid, not sulfic acid, and H ₂ SO ₃ is sulfurous, not sulfous, acid).

Key concepts and summary

Chemists use nomenclature rules to clearly name compounds. Ionic and molecular compounds are named using somewhat-different methods. Binary ionic compounds typically consist of a metal and a nonmetal. The name of the metal is written first, followed by the name of the nonmetal with its ending changed to – ide . For example, K ₂ O is called potassium oxide. If the metal can form ions with different charges, a Roman numeral in parentheses follows the name of the metal to specify its charge. Thus, FeCl ₂ is iron(II) chloride and FeCl ₃ is iron(III) chloride. Some compounds contain polyatomic ions; the names of common polyatomic ions should be memorized. Molecular compounds can form compounds with different ratios of their elements, so prefixes are used to specify the numbers of atoms of each element in a molecule of the compound. Examples include SF ₆ , sulfur hexafluoride, and N ₂ O ₄ , dinitrogen tetroxide. Acids are an important class of compounds containing hydrogen and having special nomenclature rules. Binary acids are named using the prefix hydro- , changing the – ide suffix to – ic , and adding “acid;” HCl is hydrochloric acid. Oxyacids are named by changing the ending of the anion to – ic , and adding “acid;” H ₂ CO ₃ is carbonic acid.

Chemistry end of chapter exercises