b. The names for these bases are made by writing the name of the cation
followed by "hydroxide." It is not normally necessary to use number prefixes because
the valence of the cation tells us the number of hydroxyl radicals in each molecule. You
can see that this method of naming bases is very similar to the method used for naming
salts, except that the anion is always hydroxide. For example, NaOH is called sodium
hydroxide and Ca(OH)2 is called calcium hydroxide.
(1)
Questions.
(a) KOH is called ____________________________________ .
(b) Mg(OH)2 is called ____________________________________ .
(c)
Fe(OH)2 is called ____________________________________ .
(d) Al(OH)3 is called ____________________________________ .
(e) Fe(OH)3 is called ____________________________________ .
(2)
Answers.
(a) Potassium hydroxide.
(b) Magnesium hydroxide.
(c)
Ferrous hydroxide.
(d) Aluminum hydroxide.
(e) Ferric hydroxide.
1-17. NAMING COVALENT INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
There are a number of inorganic compounds that are bonded into molecules by
covalent bonds. Most of these are the oxides, sulfides, and halides of the nonmetallic
elements.
a. Generally, these compounds are named by writing the name of the central
atom (usually the first one in the formula) followed by the name of the anion formed by
the other element. Number prefixes are used when necessary to avoid confusion
between different compounds formed by the same elements. Here are some examples:
COMPOUND
NAME OF COMPOUND
H2S gas (see para 1-14a(3))
CO
Carbon monoxide
CO2
Carbon dioxide
MD0803
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