Name the following ionic compounds: (a) Li₂O (b) FeCl₃ (c) NaClO (d) CaSO₃ (e) Cu(OH)₂

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Identify the cation and anion in the compound. Here, Cu represents copper and OH represents the hydroxide ion.

Determine the charge of the hydroxide ion, which is -1.

Recognize that the subscript '2' next to OH indicates there are two hydroxide ions, giving a total charge of -2.

Since the compound is neutral, the copper cation must balance the -2 charge from the hydroxide ions. Therefore, copper must have a +2 charge.

Name the compound by combining the name of the cation with its oxidation state in Roman numerals and the name of the anion. The compound is named Copper(II) hydroxide.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed when atoms transfer electrons, resulting in the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. These oppositely charged ions attract each other, creating a stable compound. Understanding the nature of ionic bonds is essential for naming and writing formulas for these compounds.

Nomenclature of Ionic Compounds

The nomenclature of ionic compounds involves specific rules for naming the cations and anions. Typically, the cation retains its elemental name, while the anion's name is derived from its elemental name, often modified to end in '-ide' for simple anions. For transition metals, the oxidation state is indicated using Roman numerals.

Hydroxide Ion

The hydroxide ion (OH⁻) is a polyatomic ion consisting of one oxygen atom covalently bonded to one hydrogen atom, carrying a negative charge. It is commonly found in bases and plays a crucial role in the naming of compounds that contain it, such as hydroxides. Recognizing hydroxide's presence is vital for accurately naming compounds like Cu(OH)₂.

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