Question

How do you name compounds? Like when do you know when to do bi, tri, hex etc.

Answer 1

Compounds are named on the basis of their number of atoms present. if one atom combine with another atom more than once, mono, bi, tri are used.

for example, CO - carbon monoxide

CO₂ is carbon dioxide

N₂O is called dinitrogen oxide

NO₂ is called nitrogen dioxide

N₂O₃ is called dinitrogen trioxide

N₂O₄ is dinitrogen tetroxide

like pent- for 5

and hex for 6

So mono, bi, tri , tetra, penta, hexa are used to show the number if more than one atom present in a molecule.

In organic chemistry, these notations are used to show the number of branches instead of atoms.

Eg:- 2,2-dimethyl pentane- means 2^nd carbon contains 2 times methyl group.