IUPAC Nomenclature of Inorganic Compounds

IUPAC Nomenclature

An element, a compound, a cation, or an anion may have different names in different languages. Therefore, it needs a universally accepted name for any chemical compound or ion.

IUPAC nomenclature is the universally recognized chemical nomenclature presented by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). According to the IUPAC nomenclature, the name of a compound is written in English, in simple letters (lowercase).

IUPAC Nomenclature of Inorganic Compounds

This article is intended to explain the IUPAC Nomenclature of Inorganic Compounds with examples.

Nomenclature of simple cations

Cations that possess only one oxidation state are known as simple cations. In the nomenclature of simple cations, added the "ium" suffix to the end of the name. And then put a space and write "ion"

Nomenclature of simple anions

Anions that possess only one oxidation state are known as simple anions. In the nomenclature of simple anions, it is added "ide" suffix to the end of the name. And then put a space and write "ion"

In the nomenclature of compounds that consist of simple cations and simple anions, first, it writes the name of the cation and then writes the name of the anion. There should be a space between two names.

Nomenclature of cations and anions with multiple oxidation states

In the nomenclature of the cations and anions with multiple oxidation states, the relevant oxidation state is mentioned in a bracket after the naming of the ion. Then keep a space and write "ion"

Nomenclature of anions with multiple oxidation states

It is added suffix "ate" to the end of the name of the anion which has multiple oxidation states. Then the oxidation state of the central atom is mentioned in brackets.

Nomenclature of acids

In the nomenclature of acids, it is added the suffix "ic" to the end of the name of the element with multiple oxidation states. Then keep a space and write as acid.

Nomenclature of complex ions

Complex ions are ions that are bonded with multiple ligands with multiple dative bonds. Ligand is the species that shares electrons to the dative bond. A ligand can be positively charged, negatively charged, or neutral.

Negatively charged ligands usually carry the suffix "ido" at the end of the ligand name.

Positively charged ligands usually carry "ium" suffix at the end of the name.

If the complex ion is positively charged, the cation is named in the common name. If the complex ion is negatively charged, the cation is named in Latin name.

In the nomenclature of complex ions, first, the ligands are named. If there is more than one same ligand it is added a suffix before the ligand name based on the number of ligands. If there are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 ligands it is added di, tri, tetra, penta, hexa, hepta or octa respectively.

Then the cation is named according to the final charge of the complex ion. The oxidation state of the cation is mentioned in the brackets at the end of the name. The name should be written in lowercase letters and remain as one word.