Naming Binary Molecular

Compounds

Did you ever wonder…

…what the chemicals in some of your household supplies are? This contains

Boron trifluoride

What is that?

What is a binary molecular compound?

• What is a molecular compound?

Molecular Compound – Compound with COVALENT bonds

What is a binary molecular compound?

• What does “binary” mean?

• What are other words that start with “bi-”?

Binary – having 2 elements

What patterns do you see in the formulas and names?

Chemical Formula Name of MoleculeCO carbon monoxide

N4Cl6 tetranitrogen hexachloride

NF3 nitrogen trifluoride

C2H6 dicarbon hexahydride

P2O3 diphosphorus trioxide

Naming Covalent Compounds Rules

1) The first element keeps its name.

2) The second element ends in “ide.” (like ionic names)

3) The prefix of each element shows how many of each element are in the compound.

4) *If there is only one of the first element, “mono-” is NOT used.

Prefixes TablePrefix Number of atom

mono 1

di 2

tri 3

tetra 4

penta 5

hexa 6

hepta 7

octa 8

nona 9

deca 10

Examples

Example 1) P2S3

Example 2) H2O

Example 3) CO2

diphosphorus trisulfide

dihydrogen monoxide

carbon dioxide

Group Practice

• Get into groups of 2-3.

• For the binary molecular compounds on the next slide, write out either the name or the chemical formula on a Post-It and stick it to the board when finished.

Group PracticeChemical Formula

Name

N2O4

S2F10

Trinitrogen tetrafluorideIodine hexoxide

Independent Practice

• Fill out the Naming Molecules with Covalent Bonds worksheet.