Naming Simple Anions

The monoatomic anions are named by adding the suffix -ide to the stem of the name of the nonmetallic elements from which the anion is derived. For example, Cl^- is called chloride and S^2- is called sulfide. Like a cation, the charge carried by an anion is related to the ground state electron configuration of the element and thus is related to the position of the element in the periodic chart. All the halogen anions (they are called halide ions) carry a -1 charge because the halogen group is one group left of the noble gases in the periodic chart. The oxide and sulfide carries a -2 charge because they are two groups away from the noble gases in the periodic chart. Following this logic, one can predict that the nitride ion and the phosphide ion must carry a -3 charge. Some of the simple anions and their names are listed in Table III. The hydride, peroxide, superoxide, and carbide ions are exceptions to the above rule.

Table III