How to Name Inorganic Compounds
Inorganic compounds are systematically named based on whether they are formed by **metals + non-metals** (ionic), **non-metals + non-metals** (covalent), **polyatomic ions**, or **acids and bases**.
1. Binary Ionic
Metal (Cation) + Non-metal (Anion). Fixed vs Variable valence (Stock system).
2. Binary Covalent
Non-metal + Non-metal. Uses Greek prefixes (mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.).
3. Polyatomic Compounds
Compounds with polyatomic groups like Nitrate (NO₃⁻), Sulfate (SO₄²⁻), etc.
4. Acids & Bases
Hydrogen compounds (Acids) and Hydroxide compounds (Bases).
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1 Na⁺ (+1) balances with 1 Cl⁻ (-1) to form a neutral salt.
- Cation Name: Sodium
- Anion Name: Chlorine → Chloride
First Non-Metal Element
Second Non-Metal Element
2 Nitrogen atoms = Dinitrogen.
5 Oxygen atoms = Pentaoxide → Pentoxide (drop 'a' before 'oxide').
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