How Cations Are Named?

The cation is named first. If the cation is a "simple" cation ("simple" ion is made from only one element.) the cations is named after the element. If the cation is a polyatomic cation (a polyatomic ion is made from two or more covalently bonded elements.)

What is a cations and how is it named?

The cation has the same name as its element. For example, K⁺¹ is called the potassium ion, just as K is called the potassium atom. The anion is named by taking the elemental name, removing the ending, and adding “-ide.” For example, F^-1 is called fluoride, for the elemental name, fluorine.

What is the rule for naming cations?

Always name the cation before the anion; in the chemical formula, the cation will always appear first as well. When naming the cation within an ionic compound, we don't include the word ion or the charge unless it is a polyvalent cation.