Naming Covalent Compounds

Covalent bonds are formed by 2 or more atoms sharing electrons.  Typically this is between 2 non-metals since both atoms want to gain electrons to acquire a full outer shell.

To name covalent compounds, use the following prefixes to represent the subscripts and change the suffix of the more electronegative (always on the right) element to -ide.

1  mono

2  di

3  tri

4  tetra

5  pent

6  hex

7  hept

8  oct

9  non

10 dec