Question

Which of the following covalent compounds is incorrectly named?

1.) SO₃ - sulfur trioxide
2.) NF₃ - nitrogen trifluoride
3.) P₄4S₃ - phosphorus tetra sulfide
4.) CS₂ - carbon disulfide
5.) N₂O₃ - dinitrogen trioxide

Answer 1

The incorrectly named compound is P₄S₃, which should be named tetraphosphorus trisulfide, not phosphorus tetra sulfide.

Step-by-step explanation:

The covalent compound that is incorrectly named is P₄S₃ - phosphorus tetra sulfide. The correct name for P₄S₃ is tetraphosphorus trisulfide, not phosphorus tetra sulfide as the number of sulfur atoms is three, not four. In comparison, the other compounds listed have been named correctly according to the rules for naming covalent compounds.

SO₃ - sulfur trioxide: Correctly named.

NF₃ - nitrogen trifluoride: Correctly named.

CS₂ - carbon disulfide: Correctly named.

N₂O₃ - dinitrogen trioxide: Correctly named.