What is the name of the following compounds?
H
H
C-C
H
H
A. Carbon hydride
B. Carbon (II) hydride
C. Dicarbon tetrahydride
D. Dicarbon tetrahydrogen
E. Carbon dihydrogen
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Dicarbon tetrahydride.
Here’s why:
The compound in the image shows two carbon (C) atoms, each bonded to hydrogen (H) atoms. From the molecular structure, it appears that there are two carbon atoms, each bonded to two hydrogen atoms. This structure can be described as C2H6, which is the molecular formula for ethane. The correct name for this compound involves recognizing both the carbon count and the hydrogen count.
Explanation of Each Answer Choice:
- A. Carbon hydride: This is a general and incorrect term. “Hydride” refers to a compound in which hydrogen is bonded to a less electronegative element. However, this term does not specify the number of carbons or hydrogens in the molecule. It’s too vague to apply to the compound shown.
- B. Carbon (II) hydride: This would imply that carbon is in the +2 oxidation state, which is not applicable in this molecule. In ethane (C2H6), each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds, and there is no formal oxidation state of +2.
- C. Dicarbon tetrahydride: This is the correct name. “Di-” refers to two carbon atoms, and “tetrahydride” refers to the four hydrogen atoms attached to those carbons. Since there are two carbon atoms, each bonded to three hydrogens (except for the carbon-carbon bond), the correct name is dicarbon tetrahydride.
- D. Dicarbon tetrahydrogen: This is incorrect because “hydrogen” should be used in the term as “hydride,” which refers specifically to hydrogen bonded with another element in a molecular compound. The term “tetrahydrogen” is incorrect in naming conventions.
- E. Carbon dihydrogen: This term is also incorrect because it does not provide the correct number of carbon atoms (should be “di” for two) and misuses “dihydrogen” (which would imply two hydrogen atoms instead of the correct four).
Conclusion:
The correct name is dicarbon tetrahydride, which refers to the ethane molecule, C2H6, consisting of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms.