Question

Give a systematic name for each of the following binary molecular compounds: (a) BrF (b) \(\mathrm{CF}_{4}\) (c) \(\mathrm{I}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\)

Short answer

(a) bromine monofluoride, (b) carbon tetrafluoride, (c) diiodine tetroxide, (d) dichlorine trioxide.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Binary Molecular Compounds

Binary molecular compounds consist of two non-metal elements. The nomenclature uses prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element present in the compound. The name of the compound is constructed by stating the name of the first element, followed by the second element's name with an '-ide' suffix, both with appropriate prefixes.

Assigning Systematic Name to BrF

The first element is bromine with one atom, so no prefix is needed. The second element is fluorine, also with one atom, so the prefix 'mono-' is used. The systematic name is bromine monofluoride.

Assigning Systematic Name to F_{4}

The first element is carbon with one atom, we use no prefix. The second element is fluorine with four atoms, so the prefix 'tetra-' is used. The systematic name is carbon tetrafluoride.

Assigning Systematic Name to I_{2}O_{4}

The first element is iodine with two atoms, so we use the prefix 'di-'. The second element is oxygen with four atoms, so the prefix 'tetra-' is used. The systematic name is diiodine tetroxide.

Assigning Systematic Name to Cl_{2}O_{3}

The first element is chlorine with two atoms, so the 'di-' prefix is used. The second element is oxygen with three atoms, which takes the 'tri-' prefix. The systematic name is dichlorine trioxide.

Key concepts

Chemical Nomenclature

Chemical nomenclature refers to the systematic method of naming chemical compounds. For binary molecular compounds, which consist of two non-metal elements, a specific set of rules is followed. Understanding these rules is essential for anyone studying chemistry because it allows for clear communication about chemical substances.
Binary molecular compounds use a two-part naming system. The first part of the name is the name of the first element, and the second part involves the second element's name with an “-ide” suffix. This systematic approach ensures that each compound's name is unique and descriptive.

• The element that appears first in the chemical formula is named first.
• The second element’s name is modified to end with “-ide.”
• Prefixes are used to denote the number of atoms of each element present in the compound (except when the first element has only one atom, in which case the prefix 'mono-' is typically omitted).

This framework allows chemists to construct names that accurately reflect a compound's composition, thus avoiding confusion.

Prefixes in Chemistry

Prefixes in chemistry are a wonderful way to indicate the number of atoms of each element in a compound. In the case of binary molecular compounds, prefixes help you understand the composition at a glance.
Here are the key prefixes you'll often see:

• "Mono-" for one atom (commonly omitted for the first element)
• "Di-" for two atoms
• "Tri-" for three atoms
• "Tetra-" for four atoms
• "Penta-" for five atoms
• "Hexa-" for six atoms

These prefixes are always used for the second element in a compound to ensure precision. So in a compound like dichlorine trioxide, the presence of the prefixes 'di-' and 'tri-' indicates that there are two chlorine atoms and three oxygen atoms, respectively. It's a straightforward method that enriches your understanding of chemistry by making chemical formulas instantly recognizable from their names.

Non-metal Elements

Non-metal elements play a crucial role in forming binary molecular compounds. These elements generally have properties that differ from metals, such as being poor conductors of electricity and having the ability to gain electrons easily when forming compounds.
In chemistry, non-metals are critical because they can form covalent bonds with each other, creating a diverse range of compounds. Binary molecular compounds are formed when two non-metals bond together. For instance, in the compound diiodine tetroxide, both iodine and oxygen are non-metals that combine to form this compound.

• Non-metals often share electrons rather than completely transferring them.
• They exhibit a wide range of chemical behaviors due to their varied electron configurations.
• Non-metal elements are found on the right side of the periodic table.

Understanding the role and behavior of non-metal elements aids in grasping more complex chemical reactions and interactions, thus broadening a student's overall comprehension of chemistry.