OBJECTIVE: To understand why it is necessary to have a system for naming compounds.
We will begin by discussing the system for naming binary compounds— compounds composed of two elements. We can divide binary compounds into two broad classes:
1. Compounds that contain a metal and a nonmetal
2. Compounds that contain two nonmetals
We will describe how to name compounds in each of these classes in the next several sections. Then, in succeeding sections, we will describe the systems used for naming more complex compounds.
1. Compounds that contain a metal and a nonmetal
2. Compounds that contain two nonmetals
We will describe how to name compounds in each of these classes in the next several sections. Then, in succeeding sections, we will describe the systems used for naming more complex compounds.