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Rules for naming covalent compounds:

  • Find the prefixes need for each element.
  • First element: write the name of the prefix then the name of the element.
  • Second element: write the name of the prefix then the name of the element, change ending to - ide.

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Prefix

Number of

Atoms

mono

1

di

2

tri

3

tetra

4

penta

5

hexa

6

hepta

7

octa

8

nona

9

deca

10

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  • The only time we drop a prefix is if the mono is to appear at the beginning of the name.
    • CO2 = carbon dioxide
    • CO = carbon monoxide

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  • Dinitrogen pentoxide N2O5
  • Phosphorus trichloride PCl3

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C2F4

SiBr4

P2O5

H2O

N2O2

NCl3

N2F6

CBr4

Sulfur Hexachloride

Pentacarbon Decahydride

Phosphorous Pentafluoride

Dihydrogen Monoxide