Question

How can you name chemical compounds from their formula in the following cases? give examples in support of your answer.

(iv) If the compound is acid.

Answer 1

The naming of acids that do not contain oxygen in the Anion is done as follows:
We don't need to name the cation, As all these acids have the same cation, H⁺
The acid name comes from the root name of the anion name.
The prefix hydro- and the suffix -ic are then added to the root name of the anion.
Example:

1. Acid containing anion chloride is called hydrochloric acid(HCl).
2. Acid containing anion cyanide is called hydrocyanic acid(HCN).

The naming of Oxyacids (anion contains the element oxygen) is done as follows:
We don't need to name the cation, As all these acids have the same cation, H⁺
The acid name comes from the root name of the oxyanion name or the central element of the oxyanion.
Suffixes are used based on the ending of the original name of the oxyanion.

If the name of the polyatomic anion ended with -ate, change it to -ic for the acid and if it ended with -ite, change it to -ous in the acid.
Example:

Acid contains the polyatomic ion nitrate, which is called nitric acid$\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$.

Acid contains the polyatomic ion nitrite, which is called nitrous acid$\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_2\right)$.