compound of 2 elements:

• metal written first & root of nonmetal + -ide

CaH₂- Calcium hydride

Al₂S₃- Aluminum sulfide

(Most electropositive) + -ide

• to each is attached a Latin or Greek prefix

BCl₃- boron trichloride

N₂O₄- dinitrogen tetroxide

Hydro (first) in front of root of nonmetal or before stem of negative ion

• + -ic to anion
• + "acid"

HF- hydroflouric acid

H₂S- hydrosulfuric acid

some metals have many different oxidation states

• determine charge of metal in compound
• name the metal followed by a Roman numeral indicating which charge is representing the metal
• name the nonmetal + -ide

CuS- copper II sulfide

Fe₂O₃- iron III oxide

Decide if metal has fixed charge or variable

• Positive element given first, followed by negative ion
• -ate added to the higher oxidation
• -ite added to lower oxidation

FeSO₄- Iron II sulfate