What is the correct name for CO in common nomenclature?

Study for the IMAT Chemistry Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions; hints and explanations included for each question. Prepare effectively for your exam.

Multiple Choice

What is the correct name for CO in common nomenclature?

Explanation:
Naming a binary compound by the number of oxygen atoms helps you distinguish CO from CO2. CO contains one oxygen for each carbon, so the common nomenclature uses the word monoxide to indicate a single oxygen: carbon monoxide. If there were two oxygens, you would have carbon dioxide. The term carbonate refers to a carbonate ion, not a neutral molecule. "Oxide of carbon" is not the standard name used today for this molecule. Therefore, the correct common name is carbon monoxide.

Naming a binary compound by the number of oxygen atoms helps you distinguish CO from CO2. CO contains one oxygen for each carbon, so the common nomenclature uses the word monoxide to indicate a single oxygen: carbon monoxide. If there were two oxygens, you would have carbon dioxide. The term carbonate refers to a carbonate ion, not a neutral molecule. "Oxide of carbon" is not the standard name used today for this molecule. Therefore, the correct common name is carbon monoxide.

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