What is the correct name for the molecular compound with the formula O2F2?

• A. oxygen difluoride
• B. dioxygen difluoride
• C. dioxide difluoride
• D. oxygen fluoride

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements present in the compound: O (oxygen) and F (fluorine).
2. Determine the number of atoms of each element in the formula O2F2: there are 2 oxygen atoms and 2 fluorine atoms.
3. Recall the naming rules for molecular (covalent) compounds: use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.), and the more electronegative element is named last with an '-ide' suffix.
4. Apply the prefixes to each element: 'di-' for 2 oxygen atoms and 'di-' for 2 fluorine atoms, resulting in 'dioxygen difluoride'.
5. Note that for oxygen, the prefix 'di-' is retained in this case to avoid confusion, so the correct name is 'dioxygen difluoride'.