Name the compound H3BO4. (H3BO3 is boric acid.) 1. hypoborous acid 2. hydrogen borate 3. boric acid
- hydrogen boron oxide
- borus acid
- perboric acid
- hydrogen perborate
- hypoboric acid
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct name for the compound H₃BO₄ is boric acid (option 3).
Explanation:
Boric acid (H₃BO₃) is a weak acid often referred to as hydrogen borate when in its molecular form, but it is commonly called boric acid. The compound H₃BO₄, which is a hydrated form of boric acid, may also be referred to as boric acid in some contexts. It is important to note that the chemical nomenclature for boric acid and related compounds follows the structure of the molecule, the bonding between elements, and the oxidation states of the atoms involved.
Boric acid consists of boron (B), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) atoms. It can also form salts called borates when it reacts with bases. The structure consists of a central boron atom bonded to three hydroxyl groups (OH), forming the molecular formula H₃BO₃, which is widely known as boric acid. The compound H₃BO₄ is an extension of this structure where an additional oxygen atom may be present, creating a hydrated or more oxidized form.
The other options listed do not correspond to the chemical name of H₃BO₄:
- Hypoborous acid: Refers to compounds with a lower oxidation state of boron (e.g., H₃BO₂), not H₃BO₄.
- Hydrogen borate: This would be a general name but is not commonly used for H₃BO₄.
- Boric acid: This is the correct name for H₃BO₄ (also related to H₃BO₃).
- Hydrogen boron oxide: This name could suggest a compound with boron and oxygen but does not accurately describe H₃BO₄.
- Borus acid: This is not a recognized name for boric acid.
- Perboric acid: Refers to compounds that contain higher oxidation states of boron, not H₃BO₄.
- Hydrogen perborate: This name corresponds to borates with a higher oxidation state of boron, typically associated with perboric acid.
- Hypoboric acid: Refers to a compound with a lower oxidation state of boron (e.g., H₃BO₂), not H₃BO₄.
Thus, H₃BO₄ is boric acid because it represents the general molecular structure and chemical properties of the compound.