What is the IUPAC name for the molecular compound with the formula N_2O (commonly known as laughing gas)?

• A. Nitrogen monoxide
• B. Nitrous oxide
• C. Nitrogen dioxide
• D. Dinitrogen monoxide

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula given: \(N_2O\).
2. Recognize that this is a binary molecular compound composed of two nonmetals: nitrogen and oxygen.
3. Apply the IUPAC nomenclature rules for binary molecular compounds: use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element (di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.), except omit 'mono-' for the first element if there is only one atom.
4. Name the first element (nitrogen) with the appropriate prefix for two atoms: 'dinitrogen'.
5. Name the second element (oxygen) with the appropriate prefix for one atom: 'monoxide' (note that 'mono-' is used here because it is the second element). Combine to get the full name: 'dinitrogen monoxide'.