What is the correct name for the compound with the formula Ca(NO2)2?

• A. Calcium nitrite
• B. Calcium nitrate
• C. Calcium dinitride
• D. Calcium nitride

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the cation and anion in the compound Ca(NO2)2. The cation is Ca, which is calcium, and the anion is NO2, which is the nitrite ion.
2. Recognize that the formula contains two nitrite ions, as indicated by the subscript 2 outside the parentheses: (NO2)2.
3. Recall the names of common polyatomic ions: NO2 is called nitrite, while NO3 is nitrate.
4. Combine the name of the cation (calcium) with the name of the anion (nitrite) to form the compound name.
5. Since calcium is a metal that forms only one common oxidation state (+2), no Roman numeral is needed, so the correct name is calcium nitrite.