Binary molecular (covalent) compounds are formed as the result of a reaction between two nonmetals. Although there are no ions in these compounds, they are named in a similar manner to binary ionic compounds. The nomenclature of binary covalent compounds follows these rules:
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The first element in the formula is given first, using the element’s full name.
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The second element is named as if it were an anion.
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Prefixes are used to denote the numbers of atoms present. If the first element exists as a single atom, the prefix mono- is omitted. For example, CO is called carbon monoxide rather than monocarbon monoxide.
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