What is the IUPAC name for the compound CCl$_4$?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the IUPAC (systematic) name of CCl₄, not its common or trivial name. That distinction decides the answer.

Step 2: The concept In IUPAC nomenclature for simple halogenoalkanes:

• Find the parent alkane. Here there is one carbon, so the parent is methane.
• Name the halogen substituents as prefixes (chloro-, bromo-, and so on).
• Use multiplying prefixes (di-, tri-, tetra-) to show how many of each substituent there are.

Step 3: Solution

• Parent chain: 1 carbon → methane
• Substituents: 4 chlorine atoms → tetrachloro
• Full name: tetrachloromethane

Step 4: Check the other options

• A. Tetrahydrochloride: not a valid name for this compound.
• C. Carbon tetrachloride: this is the common (trivial) name, widely used but not the IUPAC name.
• D. Chloroform: this is the common name for CHCl₃ (trichloromethane), a different compound.

Answer: B. Tetrachloromethane

Exam tip: When a question says "IUPAC name", look for the systematic name built from the alkane parent plus prefixes. Remember these pairs:

• CHCl₃: chloroform, IUPAC name trichloromethane
• CCl₄: carbon tetrachloride, IUPAC name tetrachloromethane