What suffix do covalent compounds typically end in?

Covalent compounds typically end with the suffix -ide, and they often employ prefixes to indicate the number of atoms present in the molecule. This is important because covalent compounds are formed when nonmetals bond together, and to specify the quantities of each element in the compound, prefixes like mono-, di-, tri-, and so on, are utilized.

For example, in the molecular compound carbon dioxide (CO₂), the prefix "di-" indicates that there are two oxygen atoms bonded to one carbon atom, and the compound ends with the suffix -ide to denote that it is a covalent compound. This is a standardized naming convention in chemistry, ensuring clarity when communicating the composition of these substances.

Using -ate or -ite typically applies to ionic compounds, usually involving polyatomic ions, and these suffixes indicate the presence of oxygen in certain higher or lower oxidation states. Covalent compounds, however, rely more on the -ide suffix and the use of prefixes to accurately represent the structure and quantity of the molecules involved, making the combination of -ide with prefixes the standard approach for naming them.