Question

The chemical's name to the right, in molecular or ionic compound , usually ends in -ide How do we know which chemical goes first when we are naming covalent compounds ?

Answer 1

The name of the highly Electropositive element goes first.

e.g

`Cl_(2)O \: = > \: dichloride \: oxide`

Chlorine is more Electropositive than Oxygen.

e.g

`NO_(2) \: = > \: nitrogen \: dioxide`

Nitrogen is more Electropositive than Oxygen