What is the chemical formula for carbon tetrachloride?

The chemical formula for carbon tetrachloride is represented as CCl₄. This compound is composed of one carbon atom and four chlorine atoms bonded to it. The "tetra" prefix in the name indicates that there are four chlorine atoms, which is accurately reflected in the subscript notation of the chemical formula.

In organic chemistry, the naming of compounds often relies on the number of atoms of each element present in the molecule. For carbon tetrachloride, the carbon (C) is central, and the four chlorines (Cl) are attached to it, which again is corroborated by the formula CCl₄. This structure not only defines the compound's composition but also helps in understanding its properties, such as its polarity and interactions with other substances.

The other options represent different compounds or incorrect interpretations of carbon tetrachloride’s structure. For instance, CCl₂ would indicate a dichloride with only two chlorine atoms, and CCl₃ corresponds to trichloride, which does not adequately describe carbon tetrachloride. Lastly, CCl₅ implies five chlorine atoms, which is not possible as carbon can form a maximum of four bonds according to its tetravalency. Therefore, CCl