Prefixes for Naming Covalent Bonds

Prefixes

• Mono - 1• Di - 2• Tri - 3• Tetra - 4• Penta - 5

• Hexa - 6• Hepta - 7• Octa - 8• Nona - 9• Deca - 10

Writing Covalent Formulas

Dinitrogen Pentoxide

• Write the symbol of each element.

N O• Add the subscript as indicated by the

prefixes.

N2O5

Writing Covalent Formulas

Carbon Dioxide• Write the name of each element.

C O• Add the subscripts as indicated by the prefixes.

CO2

Try these examples on your own.

• Sulfur dioxide

• Sulfur monoxide

• Carbon tetrachloride

• Dihydrogen dioxide

• Nitrogen triiodide

Naming Covalent Molecules

NH3

• Write the name of the first nonmetal using its subscript as a prefix.

Nitrogen (No prefix written for the first element IF it is a one.)

• Write the name of the second nonmetal using its subscript as a prefix and change the ending to -ide.

Trihydride• Name of the molecule: Nitrogen trihydride

Naming Covalent Molecules Pt.2

P2O5

• Write the name of the first nonmetal using the subscript as a prefix.

Diphosphorus• Write the name of the second nonmetal using

the subscript as a prefix and change the ending to -ide.

Pentoxide• Name the molecule: Diphosphorus Pentoxide

Try a few examples on your own.

• CO

• CO2

• SF2

• PI3

• H2O