Question

Evaluate each of the following as an acceptable name for Water- a. dihydrogen oxide b. hydroxide hydride c. hydrogen hydroxide d. oxygen dihydride

Short answer

a. Dihydrogen oxide is an acceptable name for Water, as it correctly represents the chemical formula H₂O. c. Hydrogen hydroxide can also be considered an acceptable name for Water, but it is not a standard IUPAC name.

Step-by-step solution

a. Dihydrogen oxide

Applying IUPAC naming conventions, "dihydrogen" corresponds to the presence of two hydrogen atoms (H₂), and "oxide" implies an oxygen atom (O). Therefore, dihydrogen oxide represents H₂O, which is an acceptable name for Water.

b. Hydroxide hydride

"Hydroxide" implies the presence of an OH- ion, which is negatively charged. "Hydride" refers to a hydrogen atom with an extra electron, which carries a negative charge (H-). Neither of these ions alone can represent water, and having both anions in a single compound is chemically impossible. So, hydroxide hydride is not an acceptable name for Water.

c. Hydrogen hydroxide

"Hydrogen" indicates the presence of a hydrogen atom (H), while "hydroxide" refers to the OH- ion. If we combine them neutrally, we get H + OH- → H₂O. In this sense, hydrogen hydroxide would be an acceptable name for Water. However, it is not a standard IUPAC name.

d. Oxygen dihydride

In this name, "oxygen" represents a single oxygen atom (O), while "dihydride" refers to two hydrogen atoms with extra electrons (2H-). As with name b, this combination of ions is chemically impossible, so oxygen dihydride is not an acceptable name for Water. In summary, the acceptable names for Water among the given options are: a. Dihydrogen oxide c. Hydrogen hydroxide (although not a standard IUPAC name)

Key concepts

Water

Water is one of the most essential compounds found on Earth. It is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, having the chemical formula H₂O. This simple molecule plays a crucial role in various biological processes, making it vital for life.
Water acts as a universal solvent because it can dissolve many substances. It is pivotal in regulating temperatures and is central in biochemical reactions.
Interestingly, water exists naturally in three states: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gaseous (steam or vapor). This versatility makes it unique compared to many other substances.

Chemical Naming Conventions

Chemical naming conventions are rules and guidelines followed to name chemical substances in a standardized manner. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is responsible for these conventions.
A chemical name gives insight into the composition and structure of a compound. It specifies the elements present and the ratios of atoms involved. Here’s a simple guide to understand how chemical names are formed:

• Prefix: Indicates the number of atoms. For example, "di" means two, "tri" means three.
• Root: Usually derived from the element's name. For example, "hydrogen" from hydrogen, "oxide" from oxygen.
• Suffix: Often provides information about the compound structure or charge, such as "-ide" for anions.

Understanding these conventions helps in properly naming and recognizing chemical substances.

Hydroxide

The term hydroxide typically refers to the hydroxide ion (OH⁻). It is one of the most common and essential ion species in chemistry, occurring often in bases such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
This ion consists of one oxygen atom covalently bonded to one hydrogen atom, carrying an overall negative charge. Hydroxides are products of metal oxides reacting with water or acids neutralizing bases.
Hydroxides act as bases in chemical reactions, and they are crucial in various industrial and household applications. For example, they are used in cleaning products and as a precursor for other chemical synthesis processes.

Oxide

Oxide is a term used to describe a compound that contains at least one oxygen atom bonded to another element. Typically, oxides can occur naturally or be created artificially via oxidation processes.
Oxides can be classified into various categories, including:

• Metal Oxides: Often result from metals reacting with oxygen, such as iron oxide (rust).
• Non-Metal Oxides: Result from non-metals combining with oxygen, like carbon dioxide.
• Mixed Oxides: Contain different types of cations along with oxygen.

Oxides are prevalent in the Earth's crust and found in many everyday products. They are related to various fields, from environmental science to industrial chemistry.