Question

n₂o₅ is nitrogen trihydride (ammonia) and bf₃ is boron trifluoride. what is the name for alcl₃ and why? a aluminum chloride - it does not have the prefix tri- since it is ionic. b aluminumchloride - there is only one aluminum and it needs the prefix mono- c aluminum trichloride - it has the prefix tri- since it has the same ratio as the other compounds. d aluminum chloride - ionic compounds do not get a prefix on the first name if there is only one of that element.

Explanation:

$AlCl_3$ is an ionic compound formed from aluminum (a group 13 metal with only one common ionic charge, +3) and chloride ions. For ionic compounds with metals that have a fixed charge, we do not use prefixes like "tri-". The name is formed by stating the cation name first, then the anion name with an "-ide" suffix.

Answer:

D. Aluminum chloride - Ionic compounds do not get a prefix on the first name if there is only one of that element