Question

Name each of the following: a. \(\mathrm{SiF}_{4}\) b. \(\mathrm{IBr}_{3}\) c. \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) d. \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{~F}_{2}\) e. \(\mathrm{SeF}_{6}\)

Short answer

a. Silicon tetrafluoride, b. Iodine tribromide, c. Carbon dioxide, d. Dinitrogen difluoride, e. Selenium hexafluoride

Step-by-step solution

Identify the first element

Look at the first element of each compound. This element will determine the prefix if there is more than one atom of this element.

Determine the second element

Look at the second element of each compound. The second element's name will change to end with '-ide.'

Apply prefixes for the number of atoms

For compounds that have more than one atom of the first or second element, appropriate Greek prefixes (di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.) should be used.

Name the compounds

Combine the names from the previous steps, using prefixes where necessary, to obtain the full name for each compound.

a. \mathrm{SiF}\_{4}

Silicon is the first element and fluorine is the second element. Since there are four fluorine atoms, the name is silicon tetrafluoride.

b. \mathrm{IBr}\_{3}

Iodine is the first element and bromine is the second element. Since there are three bromine atoms, the name is iodine tribromide.

c. \mathrm{CO}\_{2}

Carbon is the first element and oxygen is the second element. Since there are two oxygen atoms, the name is carbon dioxide.

d. \mathrm{N}\_{2}\mathrm{~F}\_{2}

Nitrogen is the first element and fluorine is the second element. Since there are two nitrogen atoms and two fluorine atoms, the name is dinitrogen difluoride.

e. \mathrm{SeF}\_{6}

Selenium is the first element and fluorine is the second element. Since there are six fluorine atoms, the name is selenium hexafluoride.

Key concepts

Chemical Nomenclature

In chemistry, naming compounds is a crucial task that helps in identifying and communicating chemical substances consistently. This system of naming is known as chemical nomenclature. There are specific rules and guidelines that chemists follow to name compounds correctly.
For instance, in binary compounds, which are composed of two different elements, the name of the compound typically ends with the suffix '-ide.' Understanding how to apply these rules correctly is essential for accurately interpreting and communicating chemical information.
Let's break down how we name the compounds:

• The first element in the formula retains its elemental name.
• The second element's name is modified to end with the '-ide' suffix.
• When there is more than one atom of a particular element, Greek prefixes are used to indicate the number of atoms present.

Greek Prefixes

Greek prefixes are used in chemical nomenclature to denote the number of atoms of each element in a compound. These prefixes ensure that the names convey the precise composition of the molecules.
Here are the common Greek prefixes you will encounter:

• Mono-: 1
• Di-: 2
• Tri-: 3
• Tetra-: 4
• Penta-: 5
• Hexa-: 6
• Hepta-: 7
• Octa-: 8
• Nona-: 9
• Deka-: 10

For example, in the compound \(\text{{CO}}_2\), 'di-' indicates that there are two oxygen atoms, resulting in the name carbon dioxide. In \(\text{{SiF}}_4\), 'tetra-' indicates four fluorine atoms, leading to the name silicon tetrafluoride.
Understanding and correctly applying these prefixes is essential for the precise and clear naming of chemical compounds.

Binary Compounds

Binary compounds consist of two different elements. They can include combinations of metals and nonmetals, or nonmetals and nonmetals.
Here are some key rules for naming binary compounds:

• Identify the elements: Write the name of the first element followed by the name of the second element, modified to end with '-ide.'
• Use prefixes: If there is more than one atom of an element, add the appropriate Greek prefix to indicate the number of atoms.

For example:

• SiF_4: Silicon (first element) and fluorine with four atoms. Therefore, the name is silicon tetrafluoride.
• IBr_3: Iodine (first element) and bromine with three atoms. Hence, the name is iodine tribromide.
• CO_2: Carbon (first element) and oxygen with two atoms. Thus, the name is carbon dioxide.
• N_2F_2: Nitrogen (first element with two atoms) and fluorine with two atoms. So, the name is dinitrogen difluoride.
• SeF_6: Selenium (first element) and fluorine with six atoms. Consequently, the name is selenium hexafluoride.

Knowing these rules and applying them correctly will help you master the art of naming binary compounds accurately.