Question

Name each of the following binary compounds, using the periodic table to determine whether the compound is likely to be ionic (containing a metal and a nonmetal) or nonionic (containing only nonmetals). a. \(\operatorname{SnO}_{2}\) b. \(\mathrm{CaH}_{2}\) c. \(\operatorname{SiBr}_{4}\) d. \(\operatorname{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{S}_{3}\) e. \(\mathrm{OCl}_{2}\) f. \(\mathrm{XeF}_{4}\)

Short answer

a. tin(IV) oxide b. calcium hydride c. silicon tetrabromide d. iron(III) sulfide e. dichlorine monoxide f. xenon hexafluoride

Step-by-step solution

a. SnO₂

1. Identify the elements: We have tin (Sn) and oxygen (O). 2. Check whether they are metals or nonmetals: Tin is a metal, and oxygen is a nonmetal. 3. Name the compound: Because a metal and a nonmetal form an ionic compound, it is named tin(IV) oxide.

b. CaH₂

1. Identify the elements: We have calcium (Ca) and hydrogen (H). 2. Check whether they are metals or nonmetals: Calcium is a metal, and hydrogen is a nonmetal. 3. Name the compound: Because a metal and a nonmetal form an ionic compound, it is named calcium hydride.

c. SiBr₄

1. Identify the elements: We have silicon (Si) and bromine (Br). 2. Check whether they are metals or nonmetals: Silicon and bromine are both nonmetals. 3. Name the compound: Because nonmetals only form nonionic compounds, it is named silicon tetrabromide.

d. Fe₂S₃

1. Identify the elements: We have iron (Fe) and sulfur (S). 2. Check whether they are metals or nonmetals: Iron is a metal, and sulfur is a nonmetal. 3. Name the compound: Because a metal and a nonmetal form an ionic compound, it is named iron(III) sulfide.

e. OCl₂

1. Identify the elements: We have oxygen (O) and chlorine (Cl). 2. Check whether they are metals or nonmetals: Oxygen and chlorine are both nonmetals. 3. Name the compound: Because nonmetals only form nonionic compounds, it is named dichlorine monoxide.

f. XeF₄

1. Identify the elements: We have xenon (Xe) and fluorine (F). 2. Check whether they are metals or nonmetals: Xenon and fluorine are both nonmetals. 3. Name the compound: Because nonmetals only form nonionic compounds, it is named xenon hexafluoride.

Key concepts

Ionic Compounds

Understanding ionic compounds is essential for naming binary compounds properly. Ionic compounds are formed when metals and nonmetals combine, exchanging electrons to achieve more stable electron configurations. In this exchange, metals tend to lose electrons and form positively charged ions called cations, while nonmetals gain electrons to form negatively charged ions known as anions.

For example, calcium (Ca), being a metal, will lose two electrons to form a Ca²⁺ ion, while each hydrogen (H), being a nonmetal in this case, gains one electron to form H^-. When these ions combine, they create calcium hydride (CaH₂), an ionic compound where the subscript indicates the ratio of ions needed for neutrality. In naming, the metal (calcium) retains its name, while the nonmetal (hydrogen) modifies its name to end with '-ide', leading to 'calcium hydride'.

Exercise Improvement Advice

When learning about ionic compounds, consider visual aids using electron dot diagrams that can help illustrate how electrons are transferred and how charges are balanced in the compound.

Nonionic Compounds

Nonionic compounds, also known as covalent or molecular compounds, are typically composed of nonmetals only. They form when elements share electrons, creating a bond where each atom fulfills its requirement for a stable electron configuration through shared electron pairs.

For instance, in silicon tetrabromide (SiBr₄), both silicon and bromine are nonmetals. They share electrons to form covalent bonds, with each bromine atom contributing one electron to a shared pair. The prefix 'tetra-' indicates there are four bromine atoms bonded to one silicon atom. The name reflects this stoichiometry, starting with the prefix for the number of atoms (if greater than one), followed by the name of the first element, and ending with the modified name of the second element using the '-ide' suffix, as in 'tetrabromide'.

Exercise Improvement Advice

To grasp the naming of nonionic compounds, it might be beneficial to study the prefixes that indicate the number of atoms in a molecule. Practice naming several examples to build familiarity with the various prefixes like mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.

Chemical Nomenclature

Chemical nomenclature is the standardized system for naming chemical compounds. This system is vital for clear communication among scientists and students alike. When naming binary compounds, whether ionic or nonionic, there are specific rules that need to be followed.

In ionic compounds, the name of the metal cation comes first, followed by the name of the nonmetal anion modified with the '-ide' ending. If the metal can form ions with different charges, a Roman numeral within parentheses indicates the ion's charge, as seen in iron(III) sulfide (Fe₂S₃).

For nonionic compounds, prefixes are used to denote the number of atoms present (if necessary), followed by the name of the first nonmetal and then the second nonmetal with its ending modified to '-ide'. It's important to note that the prefix 'mono-' is typically omitted on the first element.

Exercise Improvement Advice

Studying a table of common charges for metal ions and the prefixes for nonionic compounds can be incredibly helpful for students. Periodic practice with varied examples will also support understanding and retention. This method ensures both familiarity with the rules and the ability to apply them in different contexts.