for an upcoming test i will be required to name corresponding acid and name the series.

i don't understand the naming/listing system

eg: (So(sub5))^-2 persufATE

(So(sub4)^-2 sulfATE...base

(So(sub3)^-2 sulfITE

(So(sub2)^-2 hyposufITE

first i don't understand the suffixes..ate, ite
when to use which suffix for which anion.

second...the corresponding acid is as followes:

H2So5 persulfurIC

H2So4 sulfurIC

H2So3 sulfurOUS

H2So2 hyposulfurOUS

again what does these suffixes mean and when to use them?

my text book is vague and my professor is a lunatic that is unapproachable (don't get me started)

any help explaining this would be appreciated or recommend a website like "chemistry for dumbasses.com".

thanks

steven hawkings aka st.dan

The order, from the least number of oxygens to the most, is always:

hypo...ite
...ite
...ate
per...ate

with one more oxygen in each consecutive one (so -ate has one more oxygen than -ite)

Unfortunately, the number of oxygens will vary by series, so you should memorize how many oxygens are in the -ate form and go from there by the rule above.



To get the acid name, change the "ate" to "ic acid" or the "ite" to "ous acid." So, perchlorate, for example, would be the anion of perchloric acid.

Occasionally there are minor exceptions. Sulfate is not sulfic acid, it is instead sulfuric acid.