Home ] Up ]

Naming Binary Covalent Compounds

Use Prefixes

Two Rules

1.  For the first part of the name, use prefix only when there is more than one atom of that element.

2.  For the second part of the name always use the prefix

Mono- one

Prefixes Used

Di - two

Tri - three

Tetra - four

Penta - five

Hexa - six

Hepta - seven

Octa - eight

Nona - nine

Deca - ten

 

Examples: 

Carbon dioxide

CO2

Carbon monoxide

CO

Dinitrogen monoxide

N2O

 

D.C. Everest Senior High
6500 Alderson Street
Weston, WI 54476

Bill Heeren, Teacher
November 16, 2013

Phone (715) 359-6561
Extension 4204
Fax (715) 355-7220