Naming Covalent (Molecular) Compounds

Occurs between non-metals

Instead of taking or giving electrons, non-metals will share them with each other

Bonds can be: single, double, or triple

Non-Polar Covalent: The electrons are shared equally between the two atoms

Polar Covalent: The electrons are shared unequally between the two atoms

Binary covalent compounds are between 2 different nonmetals.

Once you decide if a compound is ionic or covalent you know whether or not to use prefixes.

Only COVALENT COMPOUNDS use PREFIXES!

Rule 1: Prefixes are only for BINARY COVALENT compounds.

Rule 2: The prefix mono- is never used on the first element of a binary covalent compound.  Without a prefix it is assumed that there is only 1.

Example: CO2 is carbon dioxide, and NOT monocarbon dioxide.

Rule 3: Remove the -o or -a from a prefix before adding it to oxide. 

Example: CO is carbon monoxide, and NOT carbon monooxide.