What is the formula of the compound with the name carbon tetrafluoride?

Explanation

The IUPAC names binary covalent compounds similar to ionic compounds. The first part of the systematic name "carbon" indicates the component with a partial positive charge- carbon in this case. The second part indicates the name of the component with a partial negative charge as if it was an anion. "Fluoride" stands for fluorine whereas the prefix "tetra-" indicates that there are four fluorine atoms per molecule. The first species in the IUPAC name- carbon in this case- carries no prefix meaning that only a single carbon atom is present in each carbon tetrafluoride molecule.

Atoms with a partial positive charge shall be placed in front of those with a partial negative charge. Hence write and then ; indicate the number of the atom present in each molecule with a subscript. There are four fluorine atoms in each carbon tetrafluoride molecule- thus write a "4" as the subscript. There shall be no subscript attached to carbon since each carbon tetrafluoride molecule contains only one carbon atom.