Nomenclature binary acids

Many hydrogen compounds are acids. Acids require a different system of nomenclature than other compounds. There are two types of acids binary acids and ternary acids. All acids include the word acid in their name. Binary acids contain only two elements one of which is hydrogen and the other a nonmetal. When naming binary acids, the prefix hydro- appears before the root name of the nonmetal, and there will be an -ic suffix. As an acid, H2S would be hydrosulfuric acid. We used H2S to illustrate the fact that there can be two possible names, hydrogen sulfide or hydrosulfuric acid. If your instructor does not specify which name to use, either is correct. Technically, the name hydrosulfuric acid only applies to aqueous solutions of H2S, H2S(aq). 

Hydrocyanic Acid and the Cyanide Ion When hydrocyanic acid, HCN, ionizes, it produces the cyanide ion, CN . Both the acid and the anion are exceptions to the nomenclature rules. The acid name suggests a binary acid, and the anion name suggests a monatomic anion. 

In this section, we discuss the nomenclature of some simple inorganic compounds. We hrst look at the naming of ionic compounds. Then, we look at the naming of some simple molecular compounds, including binary molecnlar componnds (molecular compounds of two elements) and acids. Finally, we look at hydrates of ionic compounds. These substances contain water molecules in loose association with ionic compounds. 

Chemical nomenclature is the systematic naming of compounds based on their formulas or structures. Rules are given for naming ionic compounds, binary molecular compounds, acids, and hydrates. 

Acids were first recognized as a specific class of compounds based on their properties in solutions of water. Consequently, in chemical nomenclature, the term acid usually refers to a solution in water of one of these special compounds rather than to the compound itself. For example, hydrochloric acid refers to a water solution of the molecular compound hydrogen chloride, HCl. Some common binary and oxyacids are listed in Figure 1.6. Figure 1.7 shows some common laboratory acids. 

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