2. Learn the rules for covalent compounds

A covalent compound involves the sharing of electrons between two non-metals.

What are the rules for covalent compounds?

• Covalent compounds use prefixes – to indicate the number of atoms of each element in the compound
• The element that is on the left of the periodic table comes first
• The element that is lower on the periodic table comes first
• If halogen is present, halogen is named first
• If hydrogen is present, hydrogen is named first

Prefixes

1. mono –
2. di –
3. tri –
4. tetra –
5. penta –
6. hexa –
7. hepta –
8. octa –

Concept check

After this, you are ready to go to (3. ionic compounds)