Identify the type of compound: ionic, covalent, acid, or hydrate
Name the cation first, then the anion
Use the metal name unchanged for the cation
Use Roman numerals for metals with multiple possible charges
Change the ending of a monatomic nonmetal anion to -ide
Use prefixes for covalent compounds: mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, deca-
Do not use mono- on the first element in covalent compounds
Name the second element with the prefix and -ide ending
For polyatomic ions, use the ion’s standard name unchanged
Name acids based on the anion:
Use hydro- + root + -ic acid for binary acids
Use -ic acid for anions ending in -ate
Use -ous acid for anions ending in -ite
Name hydrates as the compound name followed by prefix + hydrate
Keep spelling and capitalization standard
Use the correct charge balance when determining the name of ionic compounds