Names of ionic compounds consist of the cation name followed by the anion name.

• NaOH   −   sodium hydroxide
• Al₂(SO₄)₃   −   aluminum sulfate
• CuS   −   copper (II) sulfide

Naming binary (two-element) molecular compounds is similar to naming ionic compounds.

• The name of the element farther to the left on the periodic table is usually written first.
  • Oxygen is an exception, always written last, unless combining with fluorine. That name is oxygen difluoride.
   
• If both elements are in the same group on the periodic table, the one having the higher atomic number (lower on the Table) is named first.
   
• The name of the second element is given an -ide ending.
   
• Greek prefixes (shown in the table) are used to indicate the number of atoms of each element.
   
  • The prefix mono- is NEVER used with the first element in the compound.

Examples of molecular compounds:

• CO   −   carbon monoxide
• CO₂   −   carbon dioxide
• SO₃   −   sulfur trioxide
• CCl₄   −   carbon tetrachloride

Write one paragraph giving your thoughts about DHMO.