When naming ionic compounds, what is the correct order of naming?

The correct naming of ionic compounds follows the convention of naming the metal first followed by the nonmetal, with the nonmetal's name modified to end in "ide." This is a standard practice in chemical nomenclature for ionic compounds, which are formed from the electrostatic attraction between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).

In ionic compounds, the metal, which typically has a positive charge, is named first to reflect its cationic nature. For example, in sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium is the metal and comes first in the name. The nonmetal follows and has its name altered from its elemental form to end with "ide." In the case of chlorine, it changes to "chloride."

This method provides clarity in communication about the composition and charge of the ions involved. Other naming conventions, such as using prefixes or placing nonmetals first, do not apply to ionic compounds and are more suited for molecular (covalent) compounds. This distinction helps avoid confusion and ensures accurate identification of the compound's constituents.