Convert between chemical names, molecular formulas, and IUPAC nomenclature. Look up common and systematic names for chemical compounds.
Chemical nomenclature is the systematic method of naming chemical compounds according to a set of rules published by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Every compound has at least one systematic (IUPAC) name and often one or more common or trivial names that have been used historically. Understanding the relationship between names and formulas is fundamental to chemistry communication.
Inorganic compounds follow naming rules based on the electronegativity of elements, oxidation states, and the type of bonding. For binary ionic compounds, the metal cation is named first followed by the nonmetal anion with an -ide suffix. Transition metals require Roman numerals to indicate oxidation state. Polyatomic ions have specific names that must be memorized, though patterns like the -ate/-ite system for oxyanions provide helpful shortcuts.
Organic nomenclature is more complex, involving root names for carbon chain lengths, prefixes and suffixes for functional groups, and numbering systems for substituent positions. This calculator provides a comprehensive database of common chemicals with their IUPAC names, common names, molecular formulas, and molar masses. It serves as a quick reference for students, researchers, and professionals who need to convert between different naming systems.
Quickly look up chemical names, formulas, and molar masses without memorizing thousands of compounds. Essential for students learning nomenclature, researchers writing papers, and professionals needing quick formula-to-name conversions. This chemical name calculator helps you compare outcomes quickly and reduce avoidable mistakes when making day-to-day care decisions. Use the estimate as a planning baseline and confirm final decisions with a qualified professional when risk is high.
Naming rules: Binary ionic — metal name + nonmetal root + -ide (e.g., NaCl = sodium chloride). Transition metal — metal name(Roman numeral) + anion (e.g., FeCl₃ = iron(III) chloride). Covalent — Greek prefix + element names (e.g., N₂O₄ = dinitrogen tetroxide). Acids — hydro-root-ic acid (binary) or root-ic/-ous acid (oxyacids).
Result: Sulfuric acid (IUPAC: sulfuric acid)
H₂SO₄ is commonly known as sulfuric acid. Its systematic IUPAC name is sulfuric acid (acceptable trivial name). Its molar mass is 98.079 g/mol. It is a strong diprotic acid that fully dissociates in water to produce H⁺ and SO₄²⁻ ions.
Before systematic naming, chemicals had colorful names based on appearance, source, or discoverer: vitriol (sulfuric acid), aqua regia (nitrohydrochloric acid), and quicksilver (mercury). Antoine Lavoisier proposed the first systematic nomenclature in 1787, and the system has been refined by IUPAC since 1919. Modern nomenclature allows any chemist worldwide to identify a compound unambiguously from its systematic name alone.
Inorganic nomenclature covers ionic compounds, covalent compounds, acids, bases, and coordination compounds. Binary ionic compounds are the simplest: NaCl is sodium chloride, MgO is magnesium oxide. Transition metals add complexity with variable oxidation states — FeO is iron(II) oxide while Fe₂O₃ is iron(III) oxide. Polyatomic ions like sulfate (SO₄²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and phosphate (PO₄³⁻) have names that must be memorized, though the per-/-ate/-ite/hypo- pattern for oxyanions provides a systematic framework.
Organic nomenclature follows IUPAC rules based on the carbon backbone and functional groups. Alkanes use the suffixes meth- (1C), eth- (2C), prop- (3C), but- (4C), pent- (5C), hex- (6C), and so on. Functional groups determine the suffix: -ane (alkane), -ene (alkene), -yne (alkyne), -ol (alcohol), -al (aldehyde), -one (ketone), -oic acid (carboxylic acid). Substituents are named as prefixes (methyl-, ethyl-, chloro-) with position numbers. Mastering these rules allows you to derive the structure of any organic compound from its IUPAC name alone.
IUPAC names follow standardized rules for unambiguous identification. Common names are historical or trivial names that may not follow systematic rules (e.g., water vs. dihydrogen monoxide, acetone vs. propan-2-one).
Name the cation first (metal), then the anion (nonmetal with -ide suffix, or polyatomic ion name). For transition metals, include the oxidation state in Roman numerals: FeCl₂ = iron(II) chloride.
Mono- (1), di- (2), tri- (3), tetra- (4), penta- (5), hexa- (6), hepta- (7), octa- (8), nona- (9), deca- (10). The first element usually drops mono-.
Binary acids: hydro + root + ic acid (HCl = hydrochloric acid). Oxyacids: if the anion ends in -ate, the acid ends in -ic; if -ite, the acid ends in -ous (H₂SO₄ = sulfuric acid, H₂SO₃ = sulfurous acid).
A molecular formula shows the number of each atom (C₂H₆O), while a structural formula shows how atoms are connected (CH₃CH₂OH for ethanol vs. CH₃OCH₃ for dimethyl ether — same molecular formula, different compounds).
IUPAC organic nomenclature uses: (1) find the longest carbon chain (root name), (2) number from the end nearest a substituent, (3) name substituents with position numbers, (4) add suffix for the main functional group (-ol for alcohol, -al for aldehyde, etc.).