How to name molecular compounds
First you need to identify if it is a molecular compound. You can assume it is a molecular compound if it has two or more nonmetals. There are some simple rules that are applied to writing a molecular compound
The elements that is furthest on the left is place before the element farthest on the right
The second element is given an -ide to its ending
Prefixes are added to the elements to show how many atoms are on the element (the first element is never given a prefix)
Names of the prefixes:
1mono-2di-3tri-4tetra-5penta-6hexa-7hepta-8octa-9nona-10deca-
So for example the compound SO2. Sence the O has a 2, it would be dioxide because that is the name when an element has 2 atoms. Therefore the compound would be called:
sulfur dioxide
The elements that is furthest on the left is place before the element farthest on the right
The second element is given an -ide to its ending
Prefixes are added to the elements to show how many atoms are on the element (the first element is never given a prefix)
Names of the prefixes:
1mono-2di-3tri-4tetra-5penta-6hexa-7hepta-8octa-9nona-10deca-
So for example the compound SO2. Sence the O has a 2, it would be dioxide because that is the name when an element has 2 atoms. Therefore the compound would be called:
sulfur dioxide