I don't get it! I feel incredibly dumb :(
For example, calcium phosphate is Ca3(PO4)2.
Why? It just doesn't make sense to me. What are the rules?
If someone could explain to me how to name binary compounds i'd be very grateful.
Thanks.
For example, calcium phosphate is Ca3(PO4)2.
Why? It just doesn't make sense to me. What are the rules?
If someone could explain to me how to name binary compounds i'd be very grateful.
Thanks.
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Calcium phosphate is not a binary compound. Binary compounds are compounds formed between just two elements.
These are easy to name. The metal (or the more electropositive element) comes first and then the non-metal (or more electronegative element) with it's 'ending' changed to "-ide".
So silver and chlorine form silver chloride; potassium and bromine form potassium bromide etc..
Naming compounds of oxo-acids like phosphoric acid is a bit more complicated as there may be several series of salts, but basically, as above, the metal part of the name stays unchanged and the second part of the name comes from the acid by changing the ending to "-ate". You may drop a letter or two to make it 'sound' better.
So nitric acid forms "nitrates"; phosphoric acid form "phosphates" (rather than "phosphorates"); sulphuric acid forms "sulphates" (rather than "sulphurates"). A bit unpredictable, but you'll get used to it after a while!
P.S. It does get a bit more awkward when you begin to have different acids containing the same element, and then you need to include the oxidation state of the element - but the "-ic" to "-ate" idea keeps working. So chloric(III) acid will produce a chlorate(III), while chloric(V) acid will give a chlorate(V). But perhaps this is a step too far for the moment??
These are easy to name. The metal (or the more electropositive element) comes first and then the non-metal (or more electronegative element) with it's 'ending' changed to "-ide".
So silver and chlorine form silver chloride; potassium and bromine form potassium bromide etc..
Naming compounds of oxo-acids like phosphoric acid is a bit more complicated as there may be several series of salts, but basically, as above, the metal part of the name stays unchanged and the second part of the name comes from the acid by changing the ending to "-ate". You may drop a letter or two to make it 'sound' better.
So nitric acid forms "nitrates"; phosphoric acid form "phosphates" (rather than "phosphorates"); sulphuric acid forms "sulphates" (rather than "sulphurates"). A bit unpredictable, but you'll get used to it after a while!
P.S. It does get a bit more awkward when you begin to have different acids containing the same element, and then you need to include the oxidation state of the element - but the "-ic" to "-ate" idea keeps working. So chloric(III) acid will produce a chlorate(III), while chloric(V) acid will give a chlorate(V). But perhaps this is a step too far for the moment??
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Nothing very complicated. The standard way for an inorganic compound is first the metal then the radical, which apart from acids such as phosphate can be oxide, chloride etc.
Organic binary compounds are different, and you have to find the line between inorganic and organic carbon compounds
Organic binary compounds are different, and you have to find the line between inorganic and organic carbon compounds