What is the chemical name for CuCl?

The chemical name for CuCl is Copper(I) chloride. This nomenclature derives from the oxidation state of the copper ion in this compound. In CuCl, copper has a +1 oxidation state, resulting in the designation "Copper(I)." The "I" signifies this lower oxidation state, while "chloride" indicates the presence of the chloride ion, Cl^-, which carries a -1 charge. In order to maintain electrical neutrality in the compound, one copper ion with a +1 charge balances one chloride ion with a -1 charge, leading to the formula CuCl.

In contrast, the other choices reflect different compounds or different oxidation states of copper. Copper(II) chloride, for example, corresponds to CuCl2, where copper has a +2 oxidation state. Copper sulfate refers to compounds like CuSO4 and involves a sulfate ion, while copper oxide typically represents compounds like CuO or Cu2O, which contain oxide ions. Each of these names corresponds to distinct chemical species and must be differentiated based on the specific ions and their charges involved.