Naming Acids

Naming Simple Acids

Acids that have only 2 components are called binary acids.  Usually they contain hydrogen and another element.  E.g. HF- hydrofluoric acid. 

To name them, put the prefix 'hydro' infront of the anion and change the the ending to 'ic'. 

E.g. -HCl -> hydro + (choride = chloric) + acid -> hydrochloric acid

       -HBr -> hydro + (bromide = bromic) + acid -> hydrobromic acid

       -HCN -> hydro + (cyanide = cyanic) + acid -> hydrocyanic acid

Naming Complex Acids

Complex acids are acids which have hydrogen and a polyatomic anion. 

To name them, first find the anion.  If the anion ends in 'ate', change the ending to 'ic', but if the anion ends in 'ite', change the ending to 'ous'.  Add 'acid' to the end.

E.g. -HClO₄   -> (perchlorate = perchloric) + acid -> perchloric acid

       -H₃PO₄  -> (phosphate = phosphic) + acid -> phosphic acid

       -HNO₂   -> (nitrite = nitrous) + acid -> nitrous acid

For more information, visit:

http://www.sciencegeek.net/Chemistry/chempdfs/NamingAcids.pdf