Question

Write the name for each of the following binary compounds of nonmetallic elements. a. \(\mathrm{ClF}_{5}\) b. \(\mathrm{XeCl}_{2}\) c. \(\mathrm{SeO}_{2}\) d. \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) e. \(\mathrm{I}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{6}\) f. \(\mathrm{CS}_{2}\)

Short answer

a. Chlorine Pentafluoride b. Xenon Dichloride c. Selenium Dioxide d. Dinitrogen Trioxide e. Diiodine Hexachloride f. Carbon Disulfide

Step-by-step solution

Identify the elements in the compound

Find the symbols of the elements in the periodic table and their names.

Add prefixes to indicate the number of atoms

Use the appropriate prefixes to describe the number of atoms of each element in the compound.

Change the ending of the second element to "-ide"

For the second element in the compound, modify the name by changing its ending to "-ide". Now we can solve the exercise and name each of the binary compounds: a. \(\mathrm{ClF}_{5}\)

Step 1

Chlorine (Cl) and Fluorine (F).

Step 2

No prefix needed for Chlorine and Penta- for Fluorine.

Step 3

Chlorine Pentafluoride. b. \(\mathrm{XeCl}_{2}\)

Step 1

Xenon (Xe) and Chlorine (Cl).

Step 2

No prefix needed for Xenon and Di- for Chlorine.

Step 3

Xenon Dichloride. c. \(\mathrm{SeO}_{2}\)

Step 1

Selenium (Se) and Oxygen (O).

Step 2

No prefix needed for Selenium and Di- for Oxygen.

Step 3

Selenium Dioxide. d. \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\)

Step 1

Nitrogen (N) and Oxygen (O).

Step 2

Di- for Nitrogen and Tri- for Oxygen.

Step 3

Dinitrogen Trioxide. e. \(\mathrm{I}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{6}\)

Step 1

Iodine (I) and Chlorine (Cl).

Step 2

Di- for Iodine and Hexa- for Chlorine.

Step 3

Diiodine Hexachloride. f. \(\mathrm{CS}_{2}\)

Step 1

Carbon (C) and Sulfur (S).

Step 2

No prefix needed for Carbon and Di- for Sulfur.

Step 3

Carbon Disulfide.

Key concepts

Binary Compounds

Binary compounds are substances composed of exactly two different elements. For students encountering chemistry problems, understanding these compounds begins with identifying the two elements involved. In nomenclature, or the naming of compounds, there are established rules to follow. For binary compounds of nonmetal elements, the method outlined in the exercise applies.

The first nonmetal keeps its elemental name, while the second nonmetal's name ends with '-ide.' When each element has more than one atom in the molecule, numerical prefixes are used to indicate this. For example, 'mono-' denotes one, 'di-' signifies two, 'tri-' for three, and so on, except 'mono-' is typically omitted for the first element. It's crucial to use the correct prefixes to avoid confusion, especially as the compound's properties can significantly change with different proportions of elements.

Common Numerical Prefixes in Binary Compounds

• Mono- (1, often omitted for the first element)
• Di- (2)
• Tri- (3)
• Tetra- (4)
• Penta- (5)
• Hexa- (6)
• Hepta- (7)
• Octa- (8)
• Nona- (9)
• Deca- (10)

Remember that it's the number of atoms, not the mass or size of the atoms, that determines these prefixes.

Nonmetal Elements

Nonmetal elements are located mostly on the right side of the periodic table and possess distinctive characteristics, including poor heat and electricity conduction, and more variability in physical properties (gases, liquids, or brittle solids at room temperature). In chemical reactions, nonmetals generally gain electrons to become anions. This property is essential in the naming of binary compounds as they usually become the second element in the compound name and take the '-ide' suffix.

When we solve naming problems involving binary compounds with nonmetal elements, like SeO_{2} (selenium dioxide) and I_{2}Cl_{6} (diiodine hexachloride), it's the nonmetal element's willingness to gain electrons that necessitates the '-ide' ending and not the position within the compound. Familiarity with the nonmetal elements ensures proper identification and nomenclature in chemical equations.

The Periodic Table

The periodic table is a chemist's roadmap, showcasing all known elements arranged by increasing atomic number (number of protons) and grouped by similar chemical properties. Breaking down the step-by-step solution, Step 1 requires identifying elements within the binary compound. The periodic table provides a visual aid to find these elements' symbols and understand their relationships.

Elements are categorized as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids (elements with intermediate properties), and this categorization is pivotal in determining how elements combine and which naming conventions to apply. For instance, compounds formed exclusively by nonmetals, as seen in the exercise (ClF_{5}, chlorine pentafluoride), require a different naming approach compared to compounds formed by metals and nonmetals. Recognizing the periodic table's structure helps in predicting element behaviors and conducting proper naming practices in chemistry.