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Multiple Choice
What is the correct name for the ionic compound Mg(C2H3O2)2?
A
Magnesium acetic acid
B
Magnesium diacetate
C
Magnesium acetate
D
Magnesium ethanoate
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the cation and anion in the compound. Here, Mg is the cation (magnesium ion), and C2H3O2 is the anion (acetate ion).
Recognize that the acetate ion, C2H3O2⁻, is the conjugate base of acetic acid and is commonly named 'acetate' in ionic compounds.
Note that magnesium typically forms a 2+ charge (Mg^{2+}), so two acetate ions (each with a 1- charge) are needed to balance the charge, giving the formula Mg(C2H3O2)2.
Combine the names of the cation and anion, placing the cation name first followed by the anion name without prefixes indicating quantity, since the charge balance is clear.
Conclude that the correct name for Mg(C2H3O2)2 is 'magnesium acetate' because it follows the standard naming convention for ionic compounds with polyatomic ions.