Naming Monoatomic Anions: Study with Video Lessons, Practice Problems & Examples

The systematic naming of anions involves changing the ending of a nonmetal's base name to "ide." For example, hydrogen becomes hydride, boron becomes boride, and oxygen becomes oxide. Understanding these base names is crucial for correctly identifying anions, which are negatively charged ions. Familiarity with common nonmetals such as nitrogen (nitride), sulfur (sulfide), and chlorine (chloride) enhances comprehension of ionic compounds and their properties, essential for mastering concepts in chemistry.

Naming Monoatomic Anions Concept 1

So the systematic name for anions represents a naming method where a nonmetal anion, as it possesses a negative charge, keeps its base name but has its ending changed to ide. The base name is just the beginning of the nonmetal's name that is unchanged. Here we have a list of common nonmetals on the periodic table, and we'll talk about each of their base names. For hydrogen, the beginning of its name is its base name, so it's hydra. For boron, it's bore. For carbon, it's carb. For silicon, it's silic. For nitrogen, it's nitri. For phosphorus, it's phospha. For oxygen, it is ox. For sulfur, it is sulf, for selenium it is selen, and for tellurium, it is tellur. For fluorine, it is fluor, for chlorine, it is chlor, for bromine, it is brom, and for iodine, it is iod. Each of these represents the beginning of their name or their base name. Keep this in mind, as we will need to know the base name of these nonmetals in order to name their anion form, the form that possesses a negative charge.

Naming Monoatomic Anions Example 1

Provide the name for the following anion. We have Se^2-. So, Se represents selenium. Remember, to name an anion, we're going to use its base name which is the beginning of its name, which is selen, and then remember in its anion form, its negative form, we just add "ide" to the end of its base name. So this would be called our selenide ion. So here that means that option C is the correct choice. Se^2- represents selenide.

Which of the following represents the oxide ion?

• A. O
• B. O^2–
• C. O₂
• D. O^3–

Which of the following choices correctly names both of the following ions:Mn⁵⁺ and P^3–.

• A. Magnesium ion and Phophate
• B. Manganese ion and phosphide ion
• C. Magnesium (V) ion and phosphide
• D. Manganese (V) ion and posphide

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What is the systematic name for the anion of chlorine?

The systematic name for the anion of chlorine is chloride. In the systematic naming of anions, the base name of the nonmetal is retained, and the ending is changed to 'ide.' For chlorine, the base name is 'chlor,' so when it forms an anion with a negative charge, it becomes chloride (Cl^-).

How do you name the anion of sulfur?

The anion of sulfur is named sulfide. In the systematic naming of anions, the base name of the nonmetal is used, and the ending is changed to 'ide.' For sulfur, the base name is 'sulf,' so when it forms an anion with a negative charge, it becomes sulfide (S^2-).

What is the base name for the anion of nitrogen?

The base name for the anion of nitrogen is 'nitri.' In the systematic naming of anions, the base name of the nonmetal is retained, and the ending is changed to 'ide.' Therefore, the anion of nitrogen is called nitride (N^3-).

Why is it important to know the base names of nonmetals for naming anions?

Knowing the base names of nonmetals is crucial for naming anions because the systematic naming method involves changing the ending of the base name to 'ide.' This helps in correctly identifying and naming the anions, which are negatively charged ions. For example, knowing that the base name for oxygen is 'ox' allows you to name its anion as oxide (O^2-). This understanding is essential for mastering concepts in chemistry, especially when dealing with ionic compounds and their properties.

What is the systematic name for the anion of fluorine?

The systematic name for the anion of fluorine is fluoride. In the systematic naming of anions, the base name of the nonmetal is retained, and the ending is changed to 'ide.' For fluorine, the base name is 'fluor,' so when it forms an anion with a negative charge, it becomes fluoride (F^-).