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me __ :) asked in Science & MathematicsChemistry · 1 decade ago

Can someone please answer a Chemistry question for me? thanks?

In naming and writing formulas for molecular compounds, what determines the order in which the component elements are written??

i would really appreciate someone taking the time to answer this ?

1 Answer

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  • cat lover
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The positive one (i.e. metal - cation) comes first, then the anion portion.

    When the anion is polyatomic, such as SO4, then memorize the common ones. You will see a pattern.

    For organic compounds, it really becomes alphabetical.

    For instance, here are some examples: C10H14N5O7P

    C10H14O4Sr so even metals, etc. are alphabetical.

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