What is the correct name for the molecular compound with the formula P_4O_{10}?

• A. Tetraphosphorus pentoxide
• B. Phosphorus dioxide
• C. Tetraphosphorus decoxide
• D. Phosphorus pentoxide

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements present in the compound P_4O_{10}. Here, P stands for phosphorus and O stands for oxygen.
2. Determine the number of atoms of each element in the formula: 4 phosphorus atoms and 10 oxygen atoms.
3. Recall the naming rules for molecular (covalent) compounds: use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms of each element. The prefixes are: mono- (1), di- (2), tri- (3), tetra- (4), penta- (5), hexa- (6), hepta- (7), octa- (8), nona- (9), deca- (10).
4. Apply the prefixes to the elements: 'tetraphosphorus' for 4 phosphorus atoms and 'decaoxide' for 10 oxygen atoms. Note that the 'a' in 'deca-' is often dropped when followed by a vowel, so 'decaoxide' becomes 'decoxide'.
5. Combine the prefixes and element names to form the correct name: 'Tetraphosphorus decoxide'. This is the systematic name for P_4O_{10}.