How to name binary compounds in Chemistry

1. NOMENCLATURE
HOW TO NAME
COMPOUNDS

2. Types of Compounds
BINARY:
TWO ELEMENTS
POLYATOMIC:
THREE OR MORE ELEMENTS

3. Binary Type I
 Metal + Nonmetal
 Write the name of the metal plus the name of the
nonmetal ending in –ide.
 Example: Ba4C Barium Carbide

4. Binary Type II
 Transition Metal + Nonmetal
 Write the name of the transition metal plus the name
of the nonmetal ending in –ide. The oxidation
number from the transitional metal goes in
parenthesis.
 Example: Cu4C2 Copper (II) Carbide

5. Binary Type III
 Nonmetal + Nonmetal
 Write the name of the nonmetal plus the name of the
nonmetal ending in –ide. The oxidation number for
each element must procede the name using prefixes.
 Example: Br4C3 Tetrabromine Tricarbide