Summary
Highlights
Prefixes are used to indicate the number of atoms of each element in the compound. For N2O3, 'di' is used for two nitrogens, and 'tri' is used for three oxygens, resulting in dinitrogen trioxide.
For the first element in the chemical formula, use its full element name. For the second element, use its -ide name (similar to how negative ions are named). For example, N2O3 starts with nitrogen and ends with oxide.
Covalent or molecular compounds are formed when two non-metals bond together. This video focuses on the systematic naming of these compounds, differentiating them from ionic compounds which contain a metal and a non-metal.
When there is only one atom of the first element, the prefix 'mono' is omitted. For example, CF4 is named carbon tetrafluoride, not monocarbon tetrafluoride, because there is only one carbon atom.
If the prefix ends in 'a' or 'o' and the element name starts with 'o' (like oxide), drop the 'a' or 'o' from the prefix for smoother pronunciation. For example, 'hepta oxide' becomes 'heptoxide' and 'mono oxide' becomes 'monoxide'.
The naming rules are applied to name CO: 'carbon' for the first element (no 'mono' prefix), 'oxide' for the second element, and 'mono' for one oxygen is applied, becoming 'monoxide' due to the pronunciation rule, resulting in 'carbon monoxide'.
A quick overview of how prefixes are typically adjusted when combined with 'oxide' to ensure proper pronunciation, including mon- for mono, and dropping 'a' for prefixes like tetra, penta, hexa, hepta, octa, nona, and deca.