When naming binary ionic compounds, the primary goal is to clearly communicate the specific combination of cations and anions. The first step is to identify the metal and non-metal components. Metals donate electrons and form positive ions (cations), while non-metals accept electrons to form negative ions (anions).
After identifying the elements, you combine their names. The metal name is said first, followed by the base name of the non-metal with an "-ide" suffix. For instance, in sodium bromide (\( \text{NaBr} \)), "sodium" is the metal, and "bromine" changes to "bromide" signaling it's the non-metal partner.
Specific rules exist for transition metals which may form various charged ions. In such cases, Roman numerals indicate the charge, but for simple binary ionic compounds, naming is straightforward as illustrated:
- Sodium Bromide - \( \mathrm{NaBr} \)
- Magnesium Chloride - \( \mathrm{MgCl}_2 \)
- Aluminum Phosphide - \( \mathrm{AlP} \)
- Strontium Bromide - \( \mathrm{SrBr}_2 \)
- Silver Iodide - \( \mathrm{AgI} \)
- Potassium Sulfide - \( \mathrm{K_2S} \)