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Turn your chemistry nomenclature notes into flashcards

Upload your lecture slides, notes, or a photo of the textbook page. DeckOwl builds flashcards from your material so you practice the naming rules you actually need for the exam.

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Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free account · 3 sets a month · Creates flashcards in seconds

Why generate your own nomenclature cards

Naming compounds is mostly pattern recognition, and chemistry nomenclature becomes easier when you drill it with cards built from the same notes your instructor uses. Your professor's examples and notation are the ones that show up on tests.

Ionic compounds: name the cation first, then the anion with its -ide or -ate ending
Transition metals: use a Roman numeral to show the metal's charge
Covalent molecules: use Greek prefixes such as di-, tri-, and tetra-
Acids: an -ate ion becomes an -ic acid, and an -ite ion becomes an -ous acid

Example chemistry nomenclature flashcards

Name NaClSodium chloride. It is an ionic compound of a metal and a nonmetal, so the metal comes first and the nonmetal takes the -ide ending.

Name Fe2O3Iron(III) oxide. Oxygen is -2, so the two iron atoms must total +6, which makes each iron +3.

Name N2O4Dinitrogen tetroxide. This covalent molecule uses Greek prefixes, di- and tetra-, to show the number of atoms.

Name H2SO4 as an acidSulfuric acid. The sulfate ion ends in -ate, so the acid form takes the -ic ending.

Name PCl5Phosphorus pentachloride. Penta- gives five chlorine atoms, and covalent names do not need a Roman numeral.

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload PDFs, DOCX or PPTX files, plain notes, or images of pages. Text recognition reads photos of pages, so handwritten-free printed material works well.

Spaced repetition

Cards you miss come back sooner, and cards you know fade into longer intervals. Nomenclature rules stick better when you review them on that schedule.

Study in the browser

The free plan lets you study generated flashcards in the browser with 3 generations per month. Plus adds unlimited generations and exports.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF of your chapter, a slide deck, typed notes, or a photo of a page from your textbook.

Review the cards

DeckOwl creates term-and-answer cards for naming rules, formulas, and prefixes. Edit or delete any card that does not match your course.

Study on a schedule

Work through the deck and let spaced repetition bring back the compounds you keep missing before your next quiz.

Good nomenclature cards test both directions: the formula gives you the name, and the name gives you the formula. Roman numerals for transition metals, prefixes for covalent molecules, and acid naming rules are the usual sticking points, so each one should get its own card.

Generating from your own material also means you are not stuck with a generic deck that skips the topics your course covers. If a unit includes oxyanions or hydrates, those can become cards too.

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Frequently asked questions

How many flashcards should I make for chemistry nomenclature?

Start with one card per naming rule and one card per common compound your instructor uses. Most units need a few dozen cards, and you can add more as you find gaps.

What is the fastest way to learn the naming rules for ionic compounds?

Write the formula and name for each compound on a card, then quiz yourself in both directions. Focus on the charges of common ions, because those determine the Roman numerals and subscripts.

Can I export these flashcards to Anki?

Yes, Anki export is included in Plus, which costs $99.90/year or $9.99/month. The free plan lets you study generated cards in the browser but does not include exports.

Is there a free plan?

Yes, the free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study. No credit card is needed to start, and students get 40% off with a school email.

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Keep exploring the topic

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