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. \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\) b. \(\mathrm{Ca}_{3} \mathrm{N}_{2}\) c. \(\mathrm{CBr}_{4}\) d. \(A g_{2} S\) \(\mathrm{e} \cdot \mathrm{CuCl}_{2}\) f. \(ClF\)

Short answer

The names of the given compounds are: a. Diboron Hexahydride (nonionic) b. Calcium Nitride (ionic) c. Carbon Tetrabromide (nonionic) d. Silver Sulfide (ionic) e. Copper(II) Chloride (ionic) f. Chlorine Monofluoride (nonionic)

Step-by-step solution

Identify Ionic or Nonionic Compounds

Locate each element from the compounds in the periodic table and determine whether it is a metal, a nonmetal, or a metalloid. Based on this information, identify each compound as ionic or nonionic. a. \(\mathrm{B}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{6}\): Boron (B) is a metalloid and Hydrogen (H) is a nonmetal. This compound is nonionic. b. \(\mathrm{Ca}_{3}\mathrm{N}_{2}\): Calcium (Ca) is a metal and Nitrogen (N) is a nonmetal. This compound is ionic. c. \(\mathrm{CBr}_{4}\): Carbon (C) is a nonmetal and Bromine (Br) is a nonmetal. This compound is nonionic. d. \(Ag_{2}S\): Silver (Ag) is a metal and Sulfur (S) is a nonmetal. This compound is ionic. e. \(\mathrm{CuCl}_{2}\): Copper (Cu) is a metal and Chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal. This compound is ionic. f. \(ClF\): Chlorine (Cl) and Fluorine (F) are both nonmetals. This compound is nonionic.

Name the Nonionic Compounds Using Prefixes

Nonionic compounds are covalent compounds. Name these compounds using prefixes to indicate the number of atoms for each element. a. \(\mathrm{B}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{6}\): Diboron Hexahydride c. \(\mathrm{CBr}_{4}\): Carbon Tetrabromide f. \(ClF\): Chlorine Monofluoride

Name the Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are composed of a metal and a nonmetal. Name these compounds by combining the name of the metal with the modified nonmetal name, where the nonmetal has an "-ide" suffix. b. \(\mathrm{Ca}_{3}\mathrm{N}_{2}\): Calcium Nitride d. \(Ag_{2}S\): Silver Sulfide e. \(\mathrm{CuCl}_{2}\): Copper(II) Chloride (The roman numeral indicates the charge on the metal ion. Since Chlorine has a -1 charge and there are 2 Chlorides, Copper must be +2) The final names of the compounds are: a. Diboron Hexahydride b. Calcium Nitride c. Carbon Tetrabromide d. Silver Sulfide e. Copper(II) Chloride f. Chlorine Monofluoride

Key concepts

Ionic vs Nonionic Compounds

When it comes to binary compounds, the distinction between ionic and nonionic (covalent) compounds is crucial. Identifying whether a compound is ionic or nonionic involves looking at the types of elements involved, specifically their position on the periodic table.

• Ionic compounds: These form when a metal combines with a nonmetal. Metals, found on the left side of the periodic table, tend to lose electrons and become positively charged ions. Nonmetals, found on the right side, gain these electrons to become negatively charged ions.
• Nonionic (Covalent) compounds: Comprised of only nonmetals. These elements share electrons rather than transferring them, forming stable molecules. As a result, no net electrical charges exist like in ionic structures.

For example,

• Ca₃N₂ is ionic because it features calcium (a metal) and nitrogen (a nonmetal), creating charged ions.
• CBr₄ is nonionic because it consists of carbon and bromine, both nonmetals, forming a covalent structure.

By recognizing the types of elements in a compound, you can predict if its bonds are ionic or nonionic based on electron interactions.

Metal and Nonmetal Identification

Properly identifying metals and nonmetals in a compound is essential for determining the type of chemical bond present. The periodic table is your best friend here as it provides a roadmap.

• Metals: Located primarily on the left side of the periodic table, metals like silver (Ag) and calcium (Ca) are shiny and good conductors of electricity. They readily lose electrons during chemical reactions.


• Nonmetals: Found on the right side of the table, nonmetals such as nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) tend to gain electrons. They include gases like oxygen (O) and fluorine (F), as well as solids like carbon (C).
• Metalloids: Elements like boron (B) possess properties of both metals and nonmetals. Although not always easy to classify in simple terms, understanding metalloids can help in complex scenarios.

When you look at a compound like CuCl₂, knowing that copper (Cu) is a metal and chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal can help you determine that this is an ionic compound. This knowledge allows you to predict physical and chemical properties associated with the compounds you encounter.

Covalent Compounds Prefix Naming

Covalent compounds, consisting solely of nonmetals, are named using a system that indicates the number of atoms involved. This system uses prefixes that are quite straightforward but essential for the precise identification of molecules.

• Mono-: Indicates one atom but is usually omitted for the first element.
• Di-: Used when there are two atoms.
• Tri-, Tetra-, Penta-: Indicate three, four, and five atoms respectively.

For example, in naming

• B₂H₆ is called "Diboron Hexahydride" because it contains two boron atoms and six hydrogen atoms.
• ClF is known as "Chlorine Monofluoride" because it contains one chlorine and one fluorine atom, though the prefix "mono-" is rarely used for the first element.

This naming system helps chemists clearly and accurately communicate the composition of compounds, which is critical for both research and application.