Binary covalent compounds are compounds made up of only two elements, such as carbon dioxide. The Greek prefixes used in naming hydrates for numbers 1/2 through 10 are as follows: 1/2: hemi- Take nitrogen and oxygen molecules: NO, NO2, N2O, N2O4, and many other combinations are possible. When writing the formula of a covalent compound, simply look at the prefixes and write the subscripts that correspond to each prefix (but after the element symbol, of course). The second element is named by taking the stem of the element name and adding the suffix -ide. So to recap: use prefixes when naming covalent compounds, but not when naming ionic compounds. The use of prefixes is a more convenient and expedient means of naming covalent compounds. The “n” is usually a low integer though it is possible for fractional values to exist. Covalent molecules use prefixes in their naming system to indicate the number of atoms of each element No prefixes are used when naming ionic compounds. Prefixes are used in the names of binary compounds to indicate the number of atoms of each nonmetal present. Naming binary (two-element) covalent compounds is similar to naming simple ionic compounds. Covalent compounds share electrons and the results is a much more complex arrangement of electrons and hence molecules. Therefore, in a monohydrate “n” is one; in a hexahydrate “n” is 6, and so on. Covalent Compounds Answers Binary covalent compounds —that is, covalent compounds that contain only two elements—are named using a procedure similar to that used to name simple ionic compounds, but prefixes are added as needed to indicate the number of atoms of each kind. Covalent compounds result from the sharing of electrons, and thus have different properties than ionic compounds (which result from a transfer of electrons). In general, the prefix mono- is rarely used. Naming Covalent Compounds. These prefixes are Greek (mon-, di-, tri-, etc) and the last element in the formula also gets the suffix "-ide." Boron is a metalloid/non-metal, so forms covalent bonds with non-metals to make a molecule. Dinitrogen Hexafluoride Between two NONMETALS Sharing of Electrons Change endings of the last element to -ide Are named by Greek prefixes: (Goes in the front of name) For example, N2O4 is "dinitrogen tetroxide." If it's a diatomic molecule like H2 If it's the first element in the compound and there is only one present If it's a diatomic molecule or if it's the first element in the compound and there is only one present You always use prefixes in all covalent compounds The following table lists the most common prefixes for binary covalent compounds. prefixes used in naming elements in covalent compounds. Here are the prefixes most often used in covalent compounds: mono=1 di=2 tri=3 tetra=4 penta=5 hexa=6 hepta=7 octa=8 nona=9 deca=10. NAMING COVALENT COMPOUNDS. When is the only time you don't use prefixes when naming covalent compounds? Learn with flashcards, games, and more — for free. The difference between naming ionic & covalent compounds Covalent Bonds Example: What is the name for N2F6? In naming covalent compounds, each element in a covalent compounds needs a prefix to denote the number of atoms of that element. Answers – Naming Chemical Compounds Al is a metal, so the elements are held together by ionic bond. The prefixes are the same Greek prefixes used in naming molecular compounds. The first element in the formula is simply listed using the name of the element.