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Learning Plan

Start Practicing

Once you get ten in a row, return to the Syllabus or continue to the next section (Naming Ions).

Essential Information

Metal + Non-Metal = Ionic Compound
for example, CaCl₂, KBr, or Al₃N₂

Keys to Naming Binary Ionic Compounds:

Name the metal (the cation) as it appears on the Periodic Table.
Na⁺ = Sodium ²⁺ = Magnesium Al³⁺ = Aluminum

For the non-metal (the anion) write the name on the Periodic Table and then replace the ending with ide.

CaCl₂ = Calcium chlorine = Calcium chloride
AlN = Aluminum nitrogen = Aluminum nitride
Na₂O = Sodium oxygen = Sodium oxide

Video:

How to Name Simple Ionic Compounds