Let's make a molecule adding one atom at a time.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

H

Hydrogen Atom

Now, add another atom or a subsequent subscript, naming the new chemical fomula, e.g., if H₂0, then Water (Molecule).

Once there's a consus that nothing more can be added to create a newly named molecule, then we'll swap out atoms, again at a ratio of 1:1.

Begin:

H

[Foxpup]

H₂ (Hydrogen)

[AzureEngineer]

CH₂

[Foxpup]

CH₂ (Carbene)

FTFY. Although there's only one molecule with that formula, that'll change once our molecule gets bigger and more complex, so you need to be more specific than just a molecular formula.

CH₂O (Formaldehyde)

[jackjack]

C₂H₂O - Oxirene

[meowmeowbrowncow]

C₂H₂O - Oxirene

C₂H₂OF₄

Tetrafluorodimethyl ether

[Foxpup]

C₂H₂OF₄

Tetrafluorodimethyl ether

Hey! You're only supposed to add one atom at a time! Not four! That's cheating! Now you've made it slightly harder for the rest of us. Are you happy? I'm not.

C₃H₂F₄O (1,1,3,3-tetrafluoroacetone)

[AzureEngineer]

C₃H₂F₄O₂ (2,2,4,5-Tetrafluoro-1,3-dioxolane)

[jackjack]

Proposal: don't build on molecules built with more than one additional atom

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Proposal: don't build on molecules built with more than one additional atom

The only reason I aced Chemistry in HS is because I was able to do the math and figured out the moles, otherwise the entire subject eludes me, but does fascinate me.

Feel free to tweak the requirements that I originally laid out in the OP to make this thread a more enjoyable learning experience.

[AzureEngineer]

I think he is referring to a previous poster that added four flourine atoms in a single post.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

C₄H₂F₄O₂ (2,2,3,3-Tetrafluorocyclopropanecarboxylic acid)

[Phinnaeus Gage]

UuoC₄H₂F₄O₂ (Ununoctium-2,2,3,3-Tetrafluorocyclopropanecarboxylate, also popularly known as thread-breaking salt. )

Let me guess: You want to be a salt miner.

C₄H₂F₄O₃ (Difluoroacetic Anhydride)

Serious question: What does the 2s & 3s represent in (2,2,3,3-Tetrafluorocyclopropanecarboxylic acid)?

[Foxpup]

Serious question: What does the 2s & 3s represent in (2,2,3,3-Tetrafluorocyclopropanecarboxylic acid)?

They indicate the location of the fluoro- groups on the carbon chain. Each carbon atom on the chain is numbered, and the functional groups are numbered according to which carbon atom they are attached to, in cases where the molecular formula is ambiguous. For example, in the case of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, this is the molecular structure, with the carbons numbered:

Code:

     F
    /
F-(2)      O
   | \    //
   | (1)-C
   | /    \
F-(3)      OH
    \
     F

(Numbering starts from the primary group, which is this case is the carboxylic acid group (-C(=O)OH). Not shown is the extra hydrogen attached to 1, which is implied by the fact that it only has three single bonds instead of four.)

This system is necessary to avoid confusion with other molecules sharing the same formula, such as 2,2,3,4-tetrafluoro-3-butenoic acid, and 3,3,4,4-tetrafluorodihydro-2(3H)-furanone, which both also have the molecular formula C₄H₂F₄O₂.

[myrkul]

Serious question: What does the 2s & 3s represent in (2,2,3,3-Tetrafluorocyclopropanecarboxylic acid)?

They indicate the location of the fluoro- groups on the carbon chain. Each carbon atom on the chain is numbered, and the functional groups are numbered according to which carbon atom they are attached to, in cases where the molecular formula is ambiguous. For example, in the case of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, this is the molecular structure, with the carbons numbered:

Much better than I was going to explain it. I commend your ASCII art skills, as well.