Refer to the nomenclature flowchart (Figure 3.11) to name each compound:
A. KClO3
B. I2O5
C. PbSO4
My Response:
A. KClO3 = Potassium Chlorate
Made of metal potassium and polyatomic ion chlorate, making it an ionic compound. Potassium forms one type of cation followed by polyatomic ion chlorate, leading to the name Potassium Chlorate. Polyatomic ion means it is bonded to two or more atoms. CI03 in this case is a polyatomic ion because it is bonded to three oxygen atoms.
B. I2O5 = Di Iodine Penta Oxide
Formed by two iodine atoms and five oxygen atoms. Iodine with prefix di (two), followed by the base name of the element. Prefixed by penta (five) then gives the suffix -ide. We use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms in this formula. In this case Di is being used to represent the two iodine atoms and Penta for the five oxygen atoms.
C. PbSO4 = Lead (ll) Sulfate
Composed of lead and polyatomic ion sulfate making it an ionic compound. Lead forms more then one type of cation, leading to the name, followed by one the charge in parenthesis, then the base name sulfate. Roman numerals indicate the charge of the metal ion, being lead and the charge of lead ion is +2.
My 3 questions:
1) differentiating between ionic and covalent compounds.
2) Based on my explanation, why don’t I say “tri chlorate” for the first one?
3) I tried explaining to the best of my abilities, but why the (ll) Roman numerals?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Your 3 Questions:
1) Differentiating Between Ionic and Covalent Compounds:
- Ionic Compounds: These are formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the formation of positive (cation) and negative (anion) ions. Ionic compounds typically occur between a metal and a non-metal, such as NaCl (sodium chloride) or KClO3 (potassium chlorate). These compounds are often characterized by high melting points, electrical conductivity in molten or dissolved state, and their ability to form crystal lattices.
- Covalent Compounds: These are formed when two non-metal atoms share electrons. The atoms involved in covalent bonds form molecules. Water (H2O) or carbon dioxide (CO2) are common examples. Covalent compounds tend to have lower melting points than ionic compounds and do not conduct electricity when dissolved in water. They may also exist as discrete molecules, unlike the infinite lattice structure seen in ionic compounds. The key distinction between them is the type of bonding: Ionic involves electron transfer, whereas Covalent involves electron sharing.
2) Why “Tri Chlorate” Isn’t Used for KClO3:
The reason you don’t say “Tri chlorate” for potassium chlorate (KClO3) is that you only use prefixes like “tri-” when naming covalent compounds (molecular compounds). In ionic compounds, such as KClO3, the elements are named based on their individual charges rather than prefixes. Chlorate is a polyatomic ion, and the prefix “tri-” is used in naming molecular compounds, not ionic ones. Potassium is a metal and typically forms one type of ion (K+), which doesn’t require prefixes like “tri” when combined with polyatomic ions.
3) Why the (II) Roman Numerals for PbSO4:
The reason you use Roman numerals for lead (II) sulfate (PbSO4) is that lead (Pb) is a transition metal, and it can form more than one ion with different charges. In this case, lead has a charge of +2 in PbSO4, so the Roman numeral (II) indicates the specific oxidation state of lead in this compound. If lead were in a different oxidation state, such as +4 (which it also can be), the name would change to lead (IV) sulfate.
Roman numerals are used to clearly distinguish between the different possible charges (oxidation states) of transition metals in ionic compounds. This is necessary because metals like lead can have multiple oxidation states, and without the Roman numerals, the compound’s formula and properties would be unclear.
300-Word Explanation:
In ionic compounds, the charge on the metal ion (cation) must be indicated in the name if the metal can have multiple oxidation states. This is particularly important for transition metals like lead (Pb). For example, lead (II) sulfate indicates that the lead ion has a charge of +2, while lead (IV) sulfate would indicate that lead has a charge of +4.
Roman numerals are used in the naming of ionic compounds to specify the oxidation state of metals that can exist in multiple oxidation states, like iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). In your example, PbSO4, you must specify the oxidation state of lead because lead can form two different types of ions: Pb^2+ (with a +2 charge) and Pb^4+ (with a +4 charge). By including the Roman numeral (II) in lead (II) sulfate, you are making it clear that lead has a +2 charge in this compound.
If we did not use the Roman numerals, it would be unclear whether the lead ion was Pb^2+ or Pb^4+, and this would lead to confusion regarding the chemical formula, physical properties, and reactivity of the compound.
In contrast, for compounds like KClO3, you don’t use Roman numerals because potassium (K) always forms a +1 ion, so there is no ambiguity regarding its charge. Similarly, prefixes like “tri-” are reserved for covalent compounds, where exact numbers of atoms need to be specified (e.g., PCl3 for phosphorus trichloride), but ionic compounds are named based on the ion charges rather than atom counts.
I will now generate an image illustrating how Roman numerals are used in naming ionic compounds.
Here is the diagram showing the naming convention for ionic compounds, including the use of Roman numerals for transition metals. It also distinguishes how metals with a single charge (like potassium in KClO3) do not require Roman numerals. Hopefully, this visual helps clarify the concept! Let me know if you have more questions or need further explanations.
Your 3 Questions:
1) Differentiating Between Ionic and Covalent Compounds:
- Ionic Compounds: These are formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the formation of positive (cation) and negative (anion) ions. Ionic compounds typically occur between a metal and a non-metal, such as NaCl (sodium chloride) or KClO3 (potassium chlorate). These compounds are often characterized by high melting points, electrical conductivity in molten or dissolved state, and their ability to form crystal lattices.
- Covalent Compounds: These are formed when two non-metal atoms share electrons. The atoms involved in covalent bonds form molecules. Water (H2O) or carbon dioxide (CO2) are common examples. Covalent compounds tend to have lower melting points than ionic compounds and do not conduct electricity when dissolved in water. They may also exist as discrete molecules, unlike the infinite lattice structure seen in ionic compounds. The key distinction between them is the type of bonding: Ionic involves electron transfer, whereas Covalent involves electron sharing.
2) Why “Tri Chlorate” Isn’t Used for KClO3:
The reason you don’t say “Tri chlorate” for potassium chlorate (KClO3) is that you only use prefixes like “tri-” when naming covalent compounds (molecular compounds). In ionic compounds, such as KClO3, the elements are named based on their individual charges rather than prefixes. Chlorate is a polyatomic ion, and the prefix “tri-” is used in naming molecular compounds, not ionic ones. Potassium is a metal and typically forms one type of ion (K+), which doesn’t require prefixes like “tri” when combined with polyatomic ions.
3) Why the (II) Roman Numerals for PbSO4:
The reason you use Roman numerals for lead (II) sulfate (PbSO4) is that lead (Pb) is a transition metal, and it can form more than one ion with different charges. In this case, lead has a charge of +2 in PbSO4, so the Roman numeral (II) indicates the specific oxidation state of lead in this compound. If lead were in a different oxidation state, such as +4 (which it also can be), the name would change to lead (IV) sulfate.
Roman numerals are used to clearly distinguish between the different possible charges (oxidation states) of transition metals in ionic compounds. This is necessary because metals like lead can have multiple oxidation states, and without the Roman numerals, the compound’s formula and properties would be unclear.
300-Word Explanation:
In ionic compounds, the charge on the metal ion (cation) must be indicated in the name if the metal can have multiple oxidation states. This is particularly important for transition metals like lead (Pb). For example, lead (II) sulfate indicates that the lead ion has a charge of +2, while lead (IV) sulfate would indicate that lead has a charge of +4.
Roman numerals are used in the naming of ionic compounds to specify the oxidation state of metals that can exist in multiple oxidation states, like iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). In your example, PbSO4, you must specify the oxidation state of lead because lead can form two different types of ions: Pb^2+ (with a +2 charge) and Pb^4+ (with a +4 charge). By including the Roman numeral (II) in lead (II) sulfate, you are making it clear that lead has a +2 charge in this compound.
If we did not use the Roman numerals, it would be unclear whether the lead ion was Pb^2+ or Pb^4+, and this would lead to confusion regarding the chemical formula, physical properties, and reactivity of the compound.
In contrast, for compounds like KClO3, you don’t use Roman numerals because potassium (K) always forms a +1 ion, so there is no ambiguity regarding its charge. Similarly, prefixes like “tri-” are reserved for covalent compounds, where exact numbers of atoms need to be specified (e.g., PCl3 for phosphorus trichloride), but ionic compounds are named based on the ion charges rather than atom counts.
I will now generate an image illustrating how Roman numerals are used in naming ionic compounds.

Here is the diagram showing the naming convention for ionic compounds, including the use of Roman numerals for transition metals. It also distinguishes how metals with a single charge (like potassium in KClO3) do not require Roman numerals. Hopefully, this visual helps clarify the concept! Let me know if you have more questions or need further explanations.