2.4 Naming Acids

Oxoacids (a.k.a oxyacids) are the acids of the polyatomic oxoanions.  These include the following:

H₂SO₄ is the oxoacid of the sulfate ion, SO₄^2-

H₂SO₃ is the oxoacid of the sulfite ion SO₃^2-

HNO₃ is the oxoacid of the nitrate ion NO₃^-

HNO₂ is the oxoacid of the nitrite ion, NO₂^-

To name the corresponding oxoacid, replace the -ic suffix with -ate or the -ite suffix with -ous and then add the word acid:

H₂SO₄     sulfuric acid

H₂SO₃     sulfurous acid

HNO₃       nitric acid

HNO₂       nitrous acid

For Cl, Br, and I there are four oxoanions and therefore four corresponding oxoacids.  But the same procedure of replacing the suffixes is used so as long as you know the name of the oxoanion you should be able to name the corresponding oxoacid: