What is the correct name of the binary molecular compound $P_4{O}_{10}$?

• A. Phosphorus(III) oxide
• B. Tetraphosphorus dioxide
• C. Phosphorus pentoxide
• D. Tetraphosphorus decaoxide

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify that the compound is a binary molecular compound composed of phosphorus and oxygen atoms, indicated by the formula \(P_4O_{10}\).
2. Recall that in naming binary molecular compounds, prefixes are used to denote the number of atoms of each element: 'mono-' for 1, 'di-' for 2, 'tri-' for 3, 'tetra-' for 4, 'penta-' for 5, and so on.
3. Apply the prefixes to each element: since there are 4 phosphorus atoms, use 'tetraphosphorus'; since there are 10 oxygen atoms, use 'decaoxide' (note that 'oxide' is used for oxygen in compounds).
4. Combine the prefixes and element names to form the full name: 'tetraphosphorus decaoxide'.
5. Verify that this naming follows the standard conventions for binary molecular compounds, where the first element keeps its name and the second element's ending changes to '-ide', with appropriate numerical prefixes.