Using IUPAC nomenclature, give the name of CCl4 and AlH3 and elaborate why each name is correct.

Responses
A carbon tetrachloride & aluminum trihydride - both molecules combine two non-metals and form covalent bonds.carbon tetrachloride & aluminum trihydride - both molecules combine two non-metals and form covalent bonds.
B carbon chloride & aluminum hydride - both compounds combine a main group metal and a non-metal to form ionic bonds.carbon chloride & aluminum hydride - both compounds combine a main group metal and a non-metal to form ionic bonds.
C carbon tetrachloride - carbon and chlorine are both non-metals and form covalent bonds.
aluminum hydride - aluminum is a main group metal and hydrogen is a non-metal and they form ionic bonds.carbon tetrachloride - carbon and chlorine are both non-metals and form covalent bonds. aluminum hydride - aluminum is a main group metal and hydrogen is a non-metal and they form ionic bonds.
D carbon chloride - carbon is a main group metal and chlorine is a non-metal and they form ionic bonds.
aluminum trihydride - aluminum and hydrogen are both non-metals and form covalent bonds.carbon chloride - carbon is a main group metal and chlorine is a non-metal and they form ionic bonds. aluminum trihydride - aluminum and hydrogen are both non-metals and form covalent bonds.

1 answer

The correct answer is A: carbon tetrachloride & aluminum trihydride.

Explanation:

  1. Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4):

    • The name "carbon tetrachloride" follows IUPAC nomenclature rules for covalent compounds, which typically consist of two non-metals. In this case, carbon (C) and chlorine (Cl) are both non-metals.
    • The prefix "tetra-" indicates that there are four chlorine atoms bonded to the single carbon atom. Therefore, CCl4 is accurately named carbon tetrachloride.
  2. Aluminum Trihydride (AlH3):

    • The name "aluminum trihydride" also adheres to IUPAC conventions. In this compound, aluminum (Al), a metallic element, is combined with hydrogen (H), which is considered a non-metal in this context.
    • The prefix "tri-" indicates that there are three hydrogen atoms bonded to one aluminum atom. Thus, AlH3 is correctly named aluminum trihydride.

The response emphasizes that both compounds involve non-metals forming covalent bonds in the case of carbon tetrachloride, while aluminum, being a main group metal, forms a covalent bond with hydrogen in aluminum trihydride. Therefore, option A correctly describes the naming and bonding characteristics of both compounds.