Which of the following compounds is most likely a covalent (molecular) compound?

• A. CuF_2
• B. KCl
• C. CF_4
• D. NaCl

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the difference between ionic and covalent compounds. Ionic compounds typically form between metals and nonmetals, where electrons are transferred, resulting in positive and negative ions. Covalent compounds form between nonmetals, where electrons are shared.
2. Step 2: Identify the elements in each compound and classify them as metals or nonmetals. For example, Cu (copper) and K (potassium) are metals, while F (fluorine), Cl (chlorine), and C (carbon) are nonmetals.
3. Step 3: Analyze each compound: CuF_2 (metal + nonmetal) is ionic, KCl (metal + nonmetal) is ionic, NaCl (metal + nonmetal) is ionic, and CF_4 (nonmetal + nonmetal) is covalent.
4. Step 4: Recognize that CF_4 consists of carbon and fluorine, both nonmetals, which share electrons to form covalent bonds, making it a molecular compound.
5. Step 5: Conclude that among the given options, CF_4 is most likely the covalent (molecular) compound because it is composed entirely of nonmetals bonded covalently.