Naming of inorganic compounds

Systematic names and stoichiometric formulae are intended to convey as much information as possible in the smallest space concerning the composition and nature of a substance. The internationally-agreed (though not universally-obeyed) rules for the naming of inorganic compounds are set out briefly in most inorganic texts, and in The Handbook of Chemistry and Physics they need not be repeated here. 

Oxidation numbers are used to track the gain and loss of electrons in chemical reactions and are used in the systematic naming of inorganic compounds. 

So far, we have identified coordination compounds only by their chemical formulas, but names are also useful for many purposes. Some substances were named before their structures were known. Thus, K3[Fe(CN)g] was called potassium fer-ricyanide, and K4[Fe(CN)g] was potassium ferrocyanide [these are complexes of Fe (ferric) and Fe (ferrous) ions, respectively]. These older names are still used conversationally but systematic names are preferred to avoid ambiguity. The definitive source for the naming of inorganic compounds is Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry-IUPAC Recommendations 2005 (N. G. Connelly and T. Damhus, Sr., Eds. Royal Society of Chemistry, 2005). 

One of the most needed improvements in inorganic chemical nomenclature is the unification of the names of the chemical elements. If essentially the same names of the elements could be introduced in different languages, the names of inorganic compounds in these languages would automatically become very similar. 

There is very little tested concerning the naming of inorganic compounds. However, it is a good idea to be able to identify compounds when they are referred to. 

This is an exercise in writing formulas and naming of inorganic compounds. Complete the following tables. You may use any written material available to assist. The first one is done for you. Your supervisor may ask you to read your table to another technician in the lab to practice pronouncing the names. 

The vocabulary in this edition contains an estimated total of 59,000 terms, some of the larger additions being in the fields of chemical technology, electronics, and warfare. Additional meanings are given for many terms that were listed in the earher editions, The latest decisions in nomenclature are followed in particular, the Stock valence names for inorganic compounds are freely given, as well as the older names. 

D.1 Names of Cations D.2 Names of Anions D.3 Names of Ionic Compounds D.4 Names of Inorganic Molecular Compounds D.5 Names of Some Common Organic Compounds... 

This overview covers some of the rules for naming simple inorganic compounds. There are additional rules, and some exceptions to these rules. The first part of this overview discusses the rules for deriving a name from a chemical formula. In many cases, the formula may be determined from the name by reversing this process. The second part examines situations in which additional information is needed to generate a formula from the name of a compound. The transition metals present some additional problems therefore, there is a section covering transition metal nomenclature and coordination compounds. 

Organometallic compounds are defined as compounds containing a direct link between a carbon atom and a metal. What constitutes a metal for nomenclature purposes is really rather vague. The practice in nomenclature is to consider any element other than C, H and the rare gases to be metals if this is useful. The names of such compounds reflect their constitution and are drawn both from organic nomenclature and from inorganic nomenclatures. The names of organometallic compounds demonstrate that nomenclatures must be unified and adaptable to any situation. 

The names of unsaturated compounds are derived by using appropriate substitutive nomenclature rules. Note that trivial names are also allowed for particular polynuclear species, for example, N2H4, diazane, commonly known as hydrazine. For a discussion of names of hydrides in which elements exhibit non-standard bonding numbers, see the Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry, p. 85. Note that for the hydrides of Table 5.1 and their derivatives, substitutive names are generally preferred. 

Suhstituth-e nomenclature. This system is used extensively for orjwnic compounds, but it has also been used lo name many inorganic compounds It is often bused on the concept of a parent hydride modified by substitution of hydrogen atoms by groups I radicals). (Sec Section I—6.J... 

D.4 Names of Inorganic Molecular Compounds D.5 Names of Organic Compounds... 

Stock system (6.2, 16.2) The nomenclature system for inorganic compounds in which the oxidation state (or charge for a monatomic cation) is represented as a Roman numeral in the name of the compound, stoichiometry (10.1) The determination of how much a reactant can produce or how much of a product can be produced from a given quantity of another substance in a reaction. 

There is a vast variety of inorganic compounds, and the compounds are named according to vai g systems of nomenclature. The first job to do when you wish to name a compound is to determine which classJitisin. Rules for the major classes will be given in this chapter. Compounds that are rarely encountered in genial chemistry courses will not be covered. 

The pattern of chemical combination represented by coordination compounds is one of common occurrence. The adoption of a basic plan of nomenclature for this fundamental pattern of chemical combination is desirable. The basic philosophy underlying the various schemes for the naming of coordination compounds is reviewed briefly. The causes of apparent contradictions are discussed. The practices for the nomenclature of coordination compounds suggested by the Commission on the Reform of Inorganic Chemical Nomenclature of the International Union of Chemistry (1940) previously were formulated into a set of rules (1948). These rules are now modified in the light of criticism and further study and are extended to cover situations not previously included. Examples are given to show how the practices prescribed by the rules may be extended. 

IR-1.5.3.2 Compositional nomenclature IR-1.5.3.3 Substitutive nomenclature IR-1.5.3.4 Additive nomenclature IR-1.5.3.5 General naming procedures IR-1.6 Changes to previous IUPAC recommendations IR-1.6.1 Names of cations IR-1.6.2 Names of anions IR-1.6.3 The element sequence of Table VI IR-1.6.4 Names of anionic ligands in (formal) coordination entities IR-1.6.5 Formulae for (formal) coordination entities IR-1.6.6 Additive names of polynuclear entities IR-1.6.7 Names of inorganic acids IR-1.6.8 Addition compounds IR-1.6.9 Miscellaneous... 

When atomic theory developed to the point where it was possible to write specific formulae for the various oxides and other binary compounds, names reflecting composition more or less accurately then became common no names reflecting the composition of the oxosalts were ever adopted, however. As the number of inorganic compounds rapidly grew, the essential pattern of nomenclature was little altered until near the end of the 19th century. As a need arose, a name was proposed and nomenclature grew by accretion rather than by systematization. 

The choice between the three systems depends on the class of inorganic compound under consideration and the degree of detail one wishes to communicate. The following examples further illustrate typical aspects that need to be considered before deciding on a name. 

Fernelius, W. C., How to name an inorganic substance, lUPAC Commission on Nomenclature of Inorganic Compounds, Pergamon Press, Oxford, (1977), 36 pp.. Cited on page 11. 

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