Question

The name a student gives for the molecular compound sicl4 is monosilicon trichloride is this name correct ? Explain

Answer 1

Answer : The given name is incorrect because the correct name for
`SiCl_4` is, silicon tetrachloride.

Explanation :

`SiCl_4` is a covalent compound because sharing of electrons takes place between silicon and chlorine. Both the elements are non-metals and hence, will form covalent bond.

The nomenclature of covalent compound is given by:

• The less electronegative element is written first.
• The more electronegative element is written then, and a suffix is added with it. The suffix added is '-ide'.
• If atoms of an element is greater than 1, then prefixes are added which are 'mono' for 1 atom, 'di' for 2 atoms, 'tri' for 3 atoms and so on..

Hence, the name for
`SiCl_4` is, silicon tetrachloride.

Answer 2

No.

Explanation:

We use multiplying prefixes to indicate how many atoms of each element are in a molecule of the compound.

Exception: If there is only one atom of the first element in the name, we omit the prefix mono-.

The prefix for four is tetra-.

The correct name for SiCl₄ is silicon tetrafluoride.