The second non-metal element is named with the suffix “-ide” 3. The structures of some of the compounds in Example 8 and Example 9 are shown in Figure 2.14 along with the location of the “central atom” of each compound in the periodic table. These prefixes are Greek (mon-, di-, tri-, etc) and the last element in the formula also gets the suffix "-ide." The following table lists the most common prefixes for binary covalent compounds. Prefixes are used in the names of binary compounds to indicate the number of atoms of each nonmetal present. ***All binary compounds, both ionic and covalent end in –ide. A Molecule is any substance composed of two or more atoms COVALENTLY BONDED. Rules. google_ad_height = 60; The only exception is binary compounds of oxygen … Refer to Table 2.7 "The First 10 Straight-Chain Alkanes" and Table 2.8 "Some Common Acids That Do Not Contain Oxygen" and Figure 2.16 and identify the classes. The final o or a of a prefix is often dropped when the element begins with a vowel. A covalent compound is the combination of non-metals. Why or why not? Naming covalent compounds involves the use of Greek prefixes. Rules for Naming Molecular Compounds. For more information contact us at info@libretexts.org or check out our status page at https://status.libretexts.org. Start studying Covalent Compound Prefixes 1-10. 3. Binary covalent compounds are compounds made up of only two elements, such as carbon dioxide. Prefixes are used to denote the number of atoms, 4. This and the following section describe the rules for naming simple covalent compounds, beginning with inorganic compounds and then turning to simple organic compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen. 8. Binary covalent compounds—that is, covalent compounds that contain only two elements—are named using a procedure similar to that used to name simple ionic compounds, but prefixes are added as needed to indicate the number of atoms of each kind.The procedure, diagrammed in Figure 6.1.1, uses the following steps: Second element is written with an –ide ending. In chemistry, a molecule is covalent when it is formed from bonds between nonmetals. The prefix 'mono' is only used on the second non-metal in … Covalent compounds are compounds in which electrons are shared between two atoms, instead of given or taken. Prefixes are only used for covalent compounds formed from non-metal elements.. Common Acid and Anion Names. Second element is named as an Anion (suffix "-ide"), 3. It is common for students to have trouble writing formulae from compounds names as ionic compounds and covalent compounds are often confused. Name the non-metal furthest to the left on the periodic table by its elemental name. Missed the LibreFest?