MHS Chemistry
Nomenclature

Nomenclature means "naming system."  Since this is a system of naming chemicals, it is supposed to be easy to remember.  There is a minimum of memorizing needed to name hundreds of chemicals.  You will need a periodic table.  It will not be possible to pass the Nomenclature Test without knowing both sides of this sheet inside and out. Click here to see what procrastinating feels like!

1. Group 1 or Group 2 metals + non-metals

2. Transition metals or metals under the staircase + non-metals

3. Two non-metals

4. Oxyacids (hydrogen attached to a polyatomic anion containing oxygen)

5. Stuff to memorize

  • Charges on Group 1, Group 2, and non-metals in Groups 13 - 17.  Can you explain why Group 18 is not included?
  • Names of monatomic ions
    • Groups 1 and 2 are the same as the element name.
    • Non-metals are the root + -ide.
    • Transition metals (inlcuding metals under the staircase) are the element's name followed by the metal's charge in roman numerals in parentheses.
  • Common names for some compounds (See the last point in #3)
  • Polyatomic ions:
C2O42– oxalate
CH3COO acetate
ClO3 chlorate
CN cyanide
CO32– carbonate
CrO42– chromate
Hg22+ mercury (I)
MnO4 permanganate
NH4+ ammonium
NO3 nitrate
O22– peroxide
OH hydroxide
PO43– phosphate
SO42– sulfate
(there's also a list from ChemComm)

 


 
 

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