Binary Covalent Compounds

   The small binary covalent compounds contain only two nonmetallic elements.

        X_mY_n

The format for the name of this kind of compound is two words:

    First word:  a Greek prefix indicating the number of atoms of the less electronegative element.  This is followed by the complete name of that element.

    and followed by a

    Second word:  a Greek prefix indicating the number of atoms of the more electronegative element.  This is followed by the unambiguous stem of the more electronegative element with an -ide suffix.