What is the correct name for the molecular compound N_2O_3?

• A. Dinitrogen trioxide
• B. Dinitrogen pentoxide
• C. Nitrogen dioxide
• D. Nitrogen trioxide

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements present in the compound: N (nitrogen) and O (oxygen).
2. Determine the number of atoms of each element from the formula N_2O_3: there are 2 nitrogen atoms and 3 oxygen atoms.
3. Recall the naming rules for molecular (covalent) compounds: use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms (mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, etc.). The prefix 'di-' means 2 and 'tri-' means 3.
4. Name the first element (nitrogen) with the appropriate prefix: 'dinitrogen' because there are 2 nitrogen atoms.
5. Name the second element (oxygen) with the appropriate prefix and change the ending to '-oxide': 'trioxide' because there are 3 oxygen atoms. Combine to get 'dinitrogen trioxide'.