Here are some key features:
* Made of two nonmetal elements: These compounds consist of atoms from two different elements that are both found on the right side of the periodic table (excluding hydrogen). Examples include oxygen, chlorine, nitrogen, carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus.
* Formed by sharing electrons: Nonmetals bond by sharing electrons, forming covalent bonds. This sharing creates a more stable arrangement of electrons for both atoms involved.
* Often exist as molecules: Covalent compounds typically exist as discrete molecules, rather than as a continuous network of ions like ionic compounds.
* Naming follows specific rules: The naming of these compounds differs from ionic compounds. Generally, the element listed first is the one farther to the left on the periodic table, or if they're in the same column, the one lower down. The second element's name ends in "-ide." Prefixes are used to indicate the number of each atom present (mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.).
Examples:
* CO2 - Carbon dioxide (one carbon, two oxygen)
* SO2 - Sulfur dioxide (one sulfur, two oxygen)
* N2O - Dinitrogen monoxide (two nitrogen, one oxygen)
* PCl3 - Phosphorus trichloride (one phosphorus, three chlorine)
* NO2 - Nitrogen dioxide (one nitrogen, two oxygen)
Key Point: While the rules for naming covalent compounds generally follow the pattern described above, there are exceptions and common names for some compounds.
