What is the correct name for the compound with the formula MgCrO4?

• A. Magnesium chlorate
• B. Magnesium chromate
• C. Magnesium dichromate
• D. Magnesium carbonate

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the ions present in the compound MgCrO4. Magnesium (Mg) typically forms a +2 cation, Mg^{2+}.
2. Recognize the anion CrO4^{2-}, which is the chromate ion, not chlorate (ClO3^{-}) or carbonate (CO3^{2-}).
3. Since the charges of Mg^{2+} and CrO4^{2-} balance each other in a 1:1 ratio, the formula MgCrO4 corresponds to magnesium chromate.
4. Recall that magnesium dichromate would have the formula MgCr2O7, involving the dichromate ion Cr2O7^{2-}, which is different from chromate.
5. Therefore, the correct name for MgCrO4 is magnesium chromate, based on the combination of Mg^{2+} and CrO4^{2-} ions.