What is the correct name for the molecular compound with the formula BBr_3?

• A. Boron tribromide
• B. Boron bromide
• C. Boron dibromide
• D. Boron trichloride

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements present in the molecular compound. Here, B represents boron and Br represents bromine.
2. Determine the number of atoms of each element in the formula. The formula BBr_3 indicates 1 boron atom and 3 bromine atoms.
3. Recall the naming rules for molecular (covalent) compounds: use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms (mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.), except the prefix 'mono-' is often omitted for the first element.
4. Name the first element (boron) without a prefix since there is only one atom of boron.
5. Name the second element (bromine) with the appropriate prefix for three atoms, which is 'tri-', and change the ending of bromine to '-ide', resulting in 'tribromide'. Combine the names to get 'boron tribromide'.