How are covalent compounds named?
Answers
Covalent compounds are molecules formed by non-metals bonded together by sharing electrons.
Covalent compounds are named by using numerical prefixes to identify the number of atoms in the molecule.
For example Carbon Dioxide CO2 and Carbon Monoxide CO.
Carbon Dioxide has one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms as identified by the prefix di = 2. Carbon Monoxide has one carbon and one oxygen as identified by the prefix mono = 1.
The numeric prefixes are
mono = 1
di = 2
tri = 3
tetra = 4
penta = 5
hexa = 6
hepta = 7
octa = 8
nona = 9
deca = 10
In the naming, never use mono- for the first element.
The first element keeps its name.
The second element always end in the suffix -ide.
Drop the double vowel for the prefix and the element of the second element in the compound.
Here are some more examples for covalent compounds.
N2O5 Dinitrogen PentoxideCCl4 Carbon Tetrachloride
P3F6Triphosphorus Hexafluoride
Acids are named differently, as are organic compounds and some common other compounds. However, for the vast majority of covalent compounds, this should have you covered.