Question

Why should the compound F₂O not be called as fluorine oxide? Write the correct representation and name of the compound.

Answer 1

1. The compound F₂O should not be called fluorine oxide because fluorine is more electronegative than oxygen, so it is named as oxygen fluoride, not fluorine oxide.
2. Fluorine in F₂O has an oxidation state of −1, which is unusual for an oxide.
3. The correct representation of the compound is OF₂.
4. The correct name for F₂O is oxygen difluoride.

This naming follows the convention that the less electronegative element is named first and the more electronegative element second, though here fluorine carries a negative oxidation state in the compound.