Ionic Compound Nomenclature Self-Quiz

This page is set up with a matrix of anions and cations. Can you predict the correct formulas of the compounds formed by the combination of the various ions? Can you correctly name each of the compounds? If your browser is javascript-enabled (Netscape 6 or higher, Internet Explorer 5 or higher), you can click on the molecular formula of the compound in the matrix to see the compound name.

Remember the rules of ionic nomenclature:

1. Group I and Group II and aluminum cations only have a single charge state, i.e., only form one type of cation. The cation names are the name of the metal plus the word "ion," for example, "aluminum ion."
2. All transition and p-block metals can form two or more different cations. The cation charge is incorporated into the cation name in Roman numerals enclosed in parentheses. The complete name of the cation is the metal name plus (the charge in Roman numerals enclosed in parentheses) plus the word "ion," for example, "iron (II) ion."
3. Monatomic anions are a combination of the element name, with the end of the name dropped and replaced by the suffix "ide," for example, an oxygen anion is correctly named "oxide."
4. All polyatomic cations and anions have specific names, structures, and charges that do not change.
5. The charge of any given anion is invariant, i.e., it never changes. This is true for all monatomic and polyatomic anions.
6. The charge of a transition metal cation must be deduced from the number and the charge of the anions combined with the cation in the compound.