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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct IUPAC name for the compound with the formula ?
A
Tetraphosphorus pentasulfide
B
Phosphorus heptasulfide
C
Tetraphosphorus heptasulfide
D
Phosphorus(III) sulfide
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the molecular formula given, which is \(P_4S_7\), indicating 4 phosphorus atoms and 7 sulfur atoms in the compound.
Step 2: Recall the IUPAC nomenclature rules for binary compounds composed of two nonmetals, where prefixes are used to denote the number of atoms of each element (mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, etc.).
Step 3: Apply the prefixes to each element: 'tetra-' for 4 phosphorus atoms and 'hepta-' for 7 sulfur atoms, resulting in 'tetraphosphorus heptasulfide'.
Step 4: Understand that common names like 'phosphorus pentasulfide' or 'phosphorus(III) sulfide' refer to different stoichiometries or oxidation states and do not match the given formula \(P_4S_7\).
Step 5: Conclude that the correct IUPAC name for \(P_4S_7\) is 'tetraphosphorus heptasulfide' because it accurately reflects the number of atoms of each element in the compound.