Question

OF2 is known as difluoride and not fluorine oxide .why?

Answer 1

In OF2 oxygen is electropositive as compared to fluorine. The name of electropositive element is written first followed by the name of electronegative element. So, OF2 should be called as oxygen difluoride.

Answer 2

Answer:

An oxide must have a -2 charge and fluoride must have a  -1 charge. Here in  OF₂, F has -1 whereas O has +2 Therefore it is Difluoride and not Oxide.

Explanation:

OF₂ is known as oxygen difluoride and not fluorine oxide.

In an oxide, Oxygen has a charge of -2. In  OF₂, fluorine is a more electronegative element than oxygen. Therefore, Oxygen has a formal charge of +2.

The more electronegative element is mentioned after the relatively electropositive element. Hence, it is Oxygen difluoride and not fluorine oxide.

It is used in rocket fuel systems as an oxidizer. It is colorless and in liquid form, it is yellowish-brown with a foul odor.