[ntopper]

So I can't wrap my head around the nomenclature of compounds. Should I just be able to look at a name, such as permanagate, and be able to deduct everything about the compound? Or do I just need to know what "permanagate" is?

I'm having a lot of trouble with with this whole concept. I'll use permanagate as an example.

I understand computers. I can look at something like "http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?action=post;board=4.0" and know that I am using the HTTP proticol, with the domain www.chemicalforums.com, accessing a file' called 'index.php' which is a php script, and sending the value 'post' with the name 'action' and the value '4.0' with the name 'board'.

Should I be able to break apart and analyse a compound name such as permanagate in the same way? Or am I suppoed to know (memorize) that "permanagate" is chemistry talk for MnO₄^2-. 

I can take the manganate from the name, how am I supped to know about the four oxygen atoms? Or the charge?

"per" = "?" , "manga"  = "manganese" , "ate" = "something to do with ions, and the number 4?"
   
This is not the only concept in chemistry I am having trouble with. I try to follow the lecture, and read the text, but I feel like there is some fundamental piece of the puzzle missing, and don't even know where to start looking. I feel like the teacher and the text are assuming I know and understand some fundamental concept of chemistry that has not been mentioned. I feel like I am being thought to spell words in a Slavic language. It's kind of depressing, I'm usually good at understanding complex things.

[zeved]

Permanganate is juat MnO₄^-
not MnO₄^2- which is Manganate

I suppose you just have to memorize some things in chemistry.
Just like hypochlorous acid (HClO), chlorous acid (HClO₂), chloric acid (HClO₃) and perchloric acid (HClO₄), which I had to memorize in my first chemistry semester in faculty.

Also, I think the 'per' means something like 'more' or 'extra' since it's found in permanganate (double negative charge), perchloric acid (more chlorine atoms), peroxides (2 oxygens bonded together R-O-O-R')

[Dan]

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxyanion#Naming