Acids are formed by an anion combining with hydrogen. The anion combines with enough hydrogen to make a neutral compound. It is the anion that is important when deciding how to name an acid. Use the illustration below as a guide, but you must remember your anion names!
Using the above flowchart, name the following acids. The anion names have been given for you. Click on the word Answer to check your response.
HBr Br– is bromine
Answer
hydrobromic acid
H2SO3 SO3-2 is sulfite
Answer
sulfurous acid
HNO3 NO3– is nitrate
Answer
nitric acid
HC2H3O2 C2H3O2– is acetate
Answer
acetic acid
H2S S-2 is sulfide
Answer
hydrosulfuric acid
Brønsted-Lowry Definition
Click on the following link for a description of Brønsted-Lowry acids and bases – a different definition from Arrhenius.
