Summary:
- The simplest way to define a base is an ionic compound that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water.
- Since they all contain the OH- anion, names of bases end in Hydroxide.
- There is no special system for naming bases.
- The cation is named first followed by “hydroxide” The number of hydroxides in the formula does not affect the name.
- The compound must be neutral, so the charges of the ions are balanced just as for other ionic compounds.