What is the formula for disulfur dichloride?

Master chemistry nomenclature with our test! Featuring essential concepts, exercises, and explanations. Dive deep into chemical naming conventions!

Disulfur dichloride is named according to the rules of molecular nomenclature, where prefixes are used to denote the number of atoms of each element present in the compound. The prefix "di-" signifies that there are two atoms of sulfur (S) and two atoms of chlorine (Cl) in the molecule.

Thus, the formula must reflect the quantity indicated by the name: two sulfur atoms and two chlorine atoms. This results in the chemical formula S2Cl2, which properly conveys the presence of both elements along with the appropriate quantities.

In contrast, other formulas do not accurately represent the composition of the compound. For example, S2Cl indicates only two sulfur atoms with a single chlorine atom, whereas Cl2S2 suggests that there are two chlorine atoms but still does not properly represent the correct arrangement and number of sulfur atoms. Finally, ClS2 shows one chlorine atom and two sulfur atoms, which again does not align with the name "disulfur dichloride." Thus, S2Cl2 is the correct formula, aligning perfectly with both the naming conventions and the composition of the compound.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy