Writing Ionic Formulas
(Acids, Bases and Salts)
1. Salts
These formulas include a positive ion (other than hydrogen) and a negative ion (other
than hydroxide)
So far we have learned how to write formulas for three different kinds of salts.
A) Simple formulas
Tips: * Always write the metal first, then the non-metal
* Metal name doesn’t change
* Non-metal name changes to ____ide.
ex. NaCl sodium chloride
MgF2 magnesium fluoride
B) Multivalent
Tips: * Be able to recognize metals that are multivalent
(have more than one combining capacity)
* All of the multivalent metals you’ll need to know for your test can be
found in your data booklet
* The Roman numerals (in brackets) tell you the combining capacity of
the metal
* Follow the rules for writing simple formulas
* ALWAYS indicate which “form” of the metal you are using ie. Tin (II) or
Tin (IV)
ex. PbI4 lead (IV) iodide
Fe2O3 iron (III) oxide
C) Polyatomic Ions
Tips: * If there are more than two elements in a formula, you
are dealing with a polyatomic
* All of the polyatomics you need to know can be found in your data
booklet
* Treat a polyatomic as if it were a single element ion
* The name of the polyatomic doesn’t change
ex. Na HCO3 sodium bicarbonate
Mg(NO3)2 magnesium nitrate
Some formulas will include both multivalent metals and polyatomic ions
ex. CuClO3 copper (I) chlorate
HgSO4 mercury (II) sulphate
2. Bases
These formulas include a positive ion plus a hydroxide ion (OH-)
ex. NaOH sodium hydroxide
Ba(OH)2 barium hydroxide
3. Acids
These formulas include the hydrogen ion plus any negative ion
Naming acids depends on the kind of negative ion involved
A) Singular Negative Ions
* Drop the ending of the second element
* Add the prefix “hydro” and the suffix “ic”
* Ends with the word acid
ex. HCl hydrochloric acid
HF hydrofluoric acid
B) Negative Polyatomic Ions
* If the polyatomic ion has an “___ate” ending, drop the “ate” and add “ic”
ex. (hydrogen and sulphate)
H2SO4 sulphuric acid
* If the polyatomic has an “___ite” ending, drop the “ite” and add “ous”
ex. (hydrogen and nitrite)
HNO2 nitrous acid