Inorganic nomenclature is a systematic way of naming inorganic compounds.

Positively charged ions are called cations and negatively charged ions are called anions. The cation is always named first. Ions can be metals or polyatomic ions. Therefore the name of the metal is followed by the name of the non metal.

Example: Sodium Chloride or calcium carbonate.

NH₄⁺ AMMONIUM

NO₃^- NITRATE

NO₂^- NITRITE

ClO₃^-CHLORATE

Cl^-CHLORIDE

ClO₂^-CHLORITE

SO₃^2- SULFITE

SO₄^2- SULFATE

HSO₃^- BISULFITE (or HYDROGEN SULFITE)

PO₄^3- PHOSPHATE

P³- PHOSPHIDE

HCO₃^- BICARBONATE

CO₃^2- CARBONATE

HPO₄^2- HYDROGEN PHOSPHATE

H₂PO₄^- DIHYDROGEN PHOSPHATE

CrO₄^2-)CHROMATE

Cr₂O₇^2-DICHROMATE

BO₃^3- BORATE

AsO₄^3- ARSENATE

C₂O₄^2- OXALATE

ClO₄^- PERCHLORATE

CN^- CYANIDE

MnO₄^- PERMANGANATE

When the oxidation number is not equal to one the oxidation number is placed in the centre. So for example in uranium (VI) flouride the oxidation number of uranium is 6. However in this case the non IUPAC name Uranium hexafluoride is often used.

See also organic nomenclature.