Chapter 5.12, Problem 5QQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The correct name for $\text{HF}$ has to be chosen from the given options.

Concept Introduction:

Molecular compound that contains only two nonmetallic elements in it is known as Binary molecular compound.  Naming a binary molecular compound is similar to that of a binary ionic compound.  A major difference is that the binary molecular compound contain numerical prefixes which gives the information about the number of atoms of same kind are present in it.

For naming a binary molecular compound, the element that has lower electronegativity is given first and that is followed by a stem of the name of the nonmetal that is more electronegative and the suffix “-ide”.  Numerical prefixes are added to both nonmetals to indicate the number of atoms present in it.

Some binary molecular compounds have names that are no way related to the naming rules.  They are common names that are given for the compounds before the systematic rule development.