Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: EX5TASY on January 23, 2007, 06:05:52 PM

Title: Nitrite VS. Nitrogen Dioxide
Post by: EX5TASY on January 23, 2007, 06:05:52 PM
In naming compounds, how come

Nitrite: NO2-

Nitrogen Dioxide: NO2

How come there are 2 names? This question is stemming from THIS question:

What is the proper Chemical Name for: Cr(NO2)3?
Title: Re: Nitrite VS. Nitrogen Dioxide
Post by: Dan on January 23, 2007, 06:10:08 PM
For the same reason you dont call Cl and Cl- the same thing - they are different.
Title: Re: Nitrite VS. Nitrogen Dioxide
Post by: EX5TASY on January 23, 2007, 06:24:13 PM
So my initial thought for the  question

"What is the proper Chemical Name for: Cr(NO2)3?"

was Chromium III Nitrite, but then I decided it was just Chromium Nitrite. Both are wrong, what should it be?

Title: Re: Nitrite VS. Nitrogen Dioxide
Post by: english on January 23, 2007, 06:29:43 PM
Quote from: EX5TASY on January 23, 2007, 06:24:13 PM
So my initial thought for the  question

"What is the proper Chemical Name for: Cr(NO2)3?"

was Chromium III Nitrite, but then I decided it was just Chromium Nitrite. Both are wrong, what should it be?



It would be chromium nitrite if chromium only had one oxidation state.  +3 is one of multiple oxidation states, thus it must be designated as chromium(III) nitrite.

Are you sure that your book says this is wrong?  Doesn't look wrong to me.
Title: Re: Nitrite VS. Nitrogen Dioxide
Post by: EX5TASY on January 23, 2007, 06:46:45 PM
It's my professor's online quiz, and neither of those are right...   :-\
Title: Re: Nitrite VS. Nitrogen Dioxide
Post by: enahs on January 23, 2007, 07:27:35 PM
Make sure you are typing it in properly, as the online system is not a human and so can only work if done exactly.

Chromium(III) nitrite