Rules for constructing terms
Latin names for these classes of compounds always consist of two words. The grammatical structure is strictly fixed:
- First part (chemical element). Put in the genitive singular form (Genitivus singularis). In the term, this word functions as an non-agreeing modifier.
- Second part (group name). Indicates the class of the compound (oxide, peroxide, or hydroxide). This is a noun that changes cases (declined) according to standard rules.
Basic dictionary forms
Neuter nouns of the second declension are used to build the second part of the name. Their dictionary forms are as follows:
- oxydum, i n — oxide
- peroxydum, i n — peroxide
- hydroxydum, i n — hydroxide
When adding prefixes (e.g., per- or hydro-), the base root -oxy- is retained, but the structure of the substance is specified.
Examples of name formation
Let's look at the classic scheme using the formation of oxides as an example, where the word oxydum is added to the name of the element in the Genitivus:
- Mercury: Hydrargyri oxydum
- Magnesium: Magnesii oxydum
- Copper: Cupri oxydum
- Calcium: Calcii oxydum
Other classes of compounds are built in an absolutely identical manner. For example, zinc oxide (ZnO) is translated as Zinci oxydum, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as Hydrogenii peroxydum, and aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) as Aluminii hydroxydum.
Features of translating the term "Suboxide"
Modern chemical nomenclature has abandoned the term "suboxide" ("zaxis"), however, in pharmaceutical Latin this concept historically persists and has a unique grammatical model.
Instead of a construction with a noun, an agreeing adjective is used here. The adjective oxydulatus, a, um (suboxide/oxydulated) is added to the name of the chemical element.
A classic example is nitrous oxide (N₂O):
- Nominative case (Nom. sing.): Nitrogenium oxydulatum
- Genitive case (Gen. sing.): Nitrogenii oxydulati
Briefly: answers to topical questions
How to translate "iron hydroxide" into Latin?
Ferri hydroxydum — iron hydroxide.
How are Latin names of oxygen-containing acids formed?
Latin names of oxygen-containing acids are formed according to the formula: the noun Acidum (acid) and an agreeing first-group adjective. The adjective is formed from the root of the acid-forming element using suffixes, the choice of which depends on the oxidation state:
- Maximum oxidation state (-ic-um) — corresponds to Russian suffixes -n-, -ev-, -ov- (e.g., Acidum sulfuricum — sulfuric acid).
- Low oxidation state (-os-um) — corresponds to the Russian suffix -ist- (e.g., Acidum sulfurosum — sulfurous acid).
Standard naming formula: OF WHAT? (Element in Genitivus) + WHAT? (oxydum / peroxydum / hydroxydum). Exception: "suboxide" answers the question WHICH? (oxydulatus).
Class and exam questions
In which case is the element name in the term?
The name of the chemical element is always the first word and is put in the genitive singular (Genitivus singularis).
How to translate H₂O₂ into Latin?
The translation is built according to general rules: hydrogen peroxide — Hydrogenii peroxydum.
What is the difference between a "suboxide" and an "oxide" in grammar?
Oxides are formed using the noun oxydum (non-agreeing modifier), while suboxides are formed using the adjective oxydulatus, a, um, which grammatically agrees with the element.
What else to study on this topic
- Second declension of neuter nouns
- Rules for forming Genitivus singularis forms for chemical elements
- Agreement of adjectives of the first and second groups
- Meaning and origin of chemical prefixes
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Other topics in the section "Chemical Nomenclature: Elements, Acids, Oxides, Hydroxides"
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