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Frequently Asked Questions
Binary Compound Finder Synthlet
Feel free to play around and theoretically synthesize more than 600 main group binaries using the Synthlet below and so search for corresponding real substances in the Chemical Thesaurus database & Wikipedia.



Calculated/predicted stoichiometric formula = NaF
Calculated/predicted name: Sodium fluoride

Actual binary compounds, from the Chemical Thesaurus database:

Name
Structure
More Information
Sodium fluoride
Please understand that just because the Synthlet predicts a compound's stoichiometry and name, it does not mean that the compound always exists, that the common or usual name is always constructed or that there is only one binary compound. While most of the predictions are correct, it is the "incorrect" 10% that makes main group chemistry so interesting!

The Binary Compound Synthlet uses the common or lower valency and electronegativity to predict the stoichiometry of the binary compound. For example, electropositive aluminium (valency = 3) reacts with electronegative oxygen (valency 2) to give aluminium oxide: Al2O3.

The Synthlet uses four rules to to construct the name:

  • Both elements the same: Element
  • One of the elements is He, Ne, Ar or Kr: No binary forms
  • Metal + non-metal and non-metal + non-metal: electropositive element followed by electronegative element: Sodium oxide
  • Metal + metal: Binary alloy
  • This over-simple model makes "mistakes" because Nature is subtle:
Lithium carbide Forms: Li2C2 (lithium acetylide) not Li4C
Boron carbide Forms: B4C not B4C3
Lithium boride Forms: Li2B3, LiB2 & LiB0.8-1.0, not Li3B
Lithium-Sodium alloy Li does not alloy with Na, K Rb or Cs due to its small size, but it does alloy with Al
CH4, Methane Predicted name: Hydrogen carbide

Binary Compounds
Electronegativity

© Mark R. Leach 1999-

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