What Is The Correct Name For C5O2?

A Glimpse into the World of Rare Oxocarbons

The chemical compound with the formula $C_{5} O_{2}$ holds a unique place in chemistry. It goes by two primary names: the common name, pentacarbon dioxide, and the systematic IUPAC name, penta-1,2,3,4-tetraene-1,5-dione$. As an oxocarbon, it is a chemical made solely from carbon and oxygen. The molecule’s shape is a straight chain of five carbon atoms with an oxygen atom attached to each end ( $O = C = C = C = C = C = O$ ). This distinctive structure dictates its stability. The pure chemical is only stable at very cold temperatures, below -90°C, at which point it polymerizes, turning into a plastic-like material. However, it remains stable at room temperature when dissolved in a solution.

Unlike common chemicals like carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, this compound is not found everywhere. In fact, scientists first made it in a lab in 1988. Its only known use is in space science, where it acts as a “tracer of solar system evolution.” It forms when a type of light hits frozen carbon monoxide in very cold environments, helping us study how our solar system evolved.

An Unusual Member of the Carbon Family

$C_{5} O_{2}$ is a rare and special chemical. It belongs to the oxocarbon family, which includes chemicals made just from carbon and oxygen atoms. While common oxocarbons are carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (

$C O_{2}$ ), the family also contains many other unusual chemicals.

Because it has five carbons and two oxygens, its properties and behavior are fundamentally different from those of its more stable and familiar relatives.

The Two Names of $C_{5} O_{2}$

This chemical has two correct names. The simplest and most common one is pentacarbon dioxide, which simply tells us it has five carbons (“penta-“) and two oxygens (“di-“).

The more formal name, from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), is penta-1,2,3,4-tetraene-1,5-dione. This official name precisely describes how the atoms are connected, eliminating any confusion.

The chemical also has special number codes used in databases worldwide, including CAS Registry Number: 51799-36-1 and PubChem CID: 521350.

Table 1: Names and Codes for $C_{5} O_{2}$

Common Name	IUPAC Systematic Name	Chemical Formula	Molar Mass	CAS Registry Number	PubChem CID
Pentacarbon dioxide	penta-1,2,3,4-tetraene-1,5-dione	$C_{5} O_{2}$	92.05 g/mol	51799-36-1	521350

Why Its Shape Matters So Much

The shape of pentacarbon dioxide is the key to its properties. It is a straight molecule with the formula $O = C = C = C = C = C = O$ . This structure features a chain of five carbon atoms with four double bonds in a row, placing it in a special group of molecules called cumulenes, which have three or more double bonds in a row. The four consecutive double bonds make the molecule highly strained and energetic. This explains why it is so difficult to keep intact unless it is very cold or dissolved in a liquid.

When we compare pentacarbon dioxide to other similar chemicals, like carbon dioxide ( $C O_{2}$ ) and carbon suboxide ( $C_{3} O_{2}$ ), we see a clear pattern: the longer the carbon chain, the less stable the molecule is.

Table 2: Comparing Similar Chemicals

Compound	Formula	Structure	Stability at Room Temperature	Key Relevance
Carbon Dioxide	$C O_{2}$	$O = C = O$	Gas, highly stable	Common in the atmosphere
Ethylene Dione	$C_{2} O_{2}$	$O = C = C = O$	Extremely unstable, not found in nature	Only seen in reactions
Carbon Suboxide	$C_{3} O_{2}$	$O = C = C = C = O$	Unstable liquid or gas	Polymerizes over time
Tetracarbon Dioxide	$C_{4} O_{2}$	$O = C = C = C = C = O$	Unstable	A very short-lived chemical
Pentacarbon Dioxide	$C_{5} O_{2}$	$O = C = C = C = C = C = O$	Unstable in its pure form above 90°C	Stable in a liquid; used in space science

The Two Sides of Stability: Pure vs. Mixed

Pentacarbon dioxide exhibits a strange duality in its stability. In its pure form, it is only stable at temperatures up to -90°C. At any temperature warmer than this, it quickly turns into a new, more complex material.

However, a key exception exists: it is stable at room temperature when dissolved in a liquid. The liquid acts like a shield, keeping the

$C_{5} O_{2}$ molecules apart and preventing them from reacting with each other.

How It Was Made in a Lab

The discovery of pentacarbon dioxide in 1988 was a major achievement for scientists. Its creation demonstrated that this seemingly simple chemical, made only of carbon and oxygen, was very difficult to synthesize. The process required a complex, multi-step method.

The final step was a process called pyrolysis, which involves heating a complex chemical called 2,4,6-tris(diazo) cyclohexane-1,3,5-trione ( $C_{6} N_{6} O_{3}$ ). By carefully heating this starting material, scientists were able to break it down and get the

$C_{5} O_{2}$ they wanted.

Its Only Known Use: Space Science

Pentacarbon dioxide’s high reactivity and instability prevent its use in common products. Its only use is in a very specific area of scientific research.

It acts as a “tracer of solar system evolution.” Scientists found that

$C_{5} O_{2}$ can form in the cold, dusty parts of space when a type of light hits frozen carbon monoxide. Since it is stable enough to survive in these cold environments, it gives scientists a clue about the chemical reactions that happen in the icy grains where new stars are born.

This is a very small and specific use compared to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide is used to make other chemicals and in the steel industry, and has even been studied for medical uses. Carbon dioxide is equally common, used in fire extinguishers, to preserve food, and to make drinks fizzy. Pentacarbon dioxide has no such uses on Earth, a direct result of its extreme instability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oxocarbons and Related Compounds

What is the correct name for $C_{5} O_{2}$ ?

The correct name for $C_{5} O_{2}$ is pentacarbon dioxide. Its IUPAC name is 1,2,3,4-pentatetraene-1,5-dione, and it’s also often called pentatetraenedione. This molecule is a linear oxocarbon with the structure $O = C = C = C = C = C = O$ .

What is the pentacarbon formula?

The term “pentacarbon” likely refers to the $C_{5}$ backbone found in molecules like $C_{5} O_{2}$ . The theoretical molecule composed of only five carbon atoms is $C_{5}$ , but the stable, linear oxocarbon is $C_{5} O_{2}$ .

Is there a stable compound with the chemical name $C O_{7}$ ?

No, $C O_{7}$ (carbon heptoxide) is not a known or stable chemical compound. The most common and stable carbon oxide is carbon dioxide ( $C O_{2}$ ).

What is the formula for pentacarbon pentahydride?

“Pentacarbon pentahydride” is not a standard chemical name, but it would correspond to the formula $C_{5} H_{5}$ . This is the empirical formula for the highly stable, aromatic cyclopentadienyl radical or cation/anion.

What is the formula for pentacarbon decahydride?

The formula for pentacarbon decahydride is $C_{5} H_{10}$ . This formula represents several different hydrocarbons, including the cyclic compound cyclopentane and various pentenes (alkenes).

What is the chemical formula for dicarbon monoxide?

The chemical formula for dicarbon monoxide is $C_{2} O$ . It is an unstable molecule, sometimes called ketene radical, that acts as an intermediate in various chemical reactions.

What is the chemical formula for tricarbon tetranitride?

The theoretical formula for tricarbon tetranitride is $C_{3} N_{4}$ . This compound is a subject of active research, as a crystalline phase, beta-carbon nitride, is predicted to be a superhard material, potentially even harder than diamond.

What is the chemical name and formula for $C_{12} O_{9}$ ?

The name for $C_{12} O_{9}$ is mellitic anhydride or benzenehexacarboxylic trianhydride. It is an oxocarbon that forms from the complete dehydration of mellitic acid.

What is deltic acid?

Deltic acid is an acidic oxocarbon with the formula $H_{2} C_{3} O_{3}$ or $C_{3} O (O H)_{2}$ . It is the simplest cyclopropene-dione derivative and is highly acidic.

A Glimpse into the World of Rare Oxocarbons

An Unusual Member of the Carbon Family

The Two Names of C5​O2​

Table 1: Names and Codes for C5​O2​

Why Its Shape Matters So Much

Table 2: Comparing Similar Chemicals

The Two Sides of Stability: Pure vs. Mixed

How It Was Made in a Lab

Its Only Known Use: Space Science

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oxocarbons and Related Compounds

What is the correct name for C5​O2​?

What is the pentacarbon formula?

Is there a stable compound with the chemical name CO7​?

What is the formula for pentacarbon pentahydride?

What is the formula for pentacarbon decahydride?

What is the chemical formula for dicarbon monoxide?

What is the chemical formula for tricarbon tetranitride?

What is the chemical name and formula for C12​O9​?

What is deltic acid?

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Table 1: Names and Codes for $C_{5} O_{2}$

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