Question

Summarize the rules for naming ionic compounds containing metals that can have multiple charges by placing the items below in order with the first step at the top and the last at the bottom

1. identity the cation and the anion
2. write the name of the metal
3. write a Roman numeral in parentheses with the value of the numeral equal to the charge on the metal
4. write the base name for the nonmetal anion with the -ide ending or the name of the polyatomic anion

Answer 1

To name ionic compounds containing metals with variable charges, first identify the cation and anion, write the metal name, include the charge of the metal as a Roman numeral in parentheses, and end with the anion name, using '-ide' for nonmetals or the unaltered name of polyatomic ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rules for Naming Ionic Compounds with Metals Having Multiple Charges

Identify the cation (metal with a charge) and the anion (nonmetal or polyatomic ion).

Write the name of the metal, the cation, first.

Write a Roman numeral in parentheses to indicate the charge on the metal cation.

For the anion, write the base name with an '-ide' ending if it is a nonmetal, or the name of the polyatomic anion.

An example is iron and chlorine, which can form ionic compounds such as FeCl₂ and FeCl₃. Since iron can have charges of 2+ or 3+, these compounds are distinctly named as iron(II) chloride and iron(III) chloride, respectively, to reflect the iron ion's charge. Similarly, when dealing with polyatomic ions, such as sulfate or nitrate, follow the same rules while adding the name of the polyatomic ion without alteration. For instance, Fe(NO₃)₃ is named iron(III) nitrate.