Nomenclature of Binary Ionic Compounds

Comprised of a metal ion and a nonmetal ion

The metal anion is a cation (a positively charged ion)

The nonmetal is an anion (a negatively charged ion)

In Type I ionic compounds, the cations only come in one "flavor" of charge. Example: sodium is always +1

Put the cation (metal) first. Use the entire name of the metal. Example: sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.

Put the name of the anion (nonmetal) section. Change the ending to "-ide." Example: oxide, bromide, chloride, nitride, etc.

Ions always combine in a way that the charges balance each other. E.g., if you have one calcium (2+ charge), you need 2 chlorines (1- charge) to balance it out.

Even if a type 1 ionic compound has two copies of an ion (e.g. CaCl₂), it will always be named using the same procedure(e.g., calcium chloride).