The correct name for the compound CO2 is carbon dioxide.
This compound is composed of one carbon atom (C) and two oxygen atoms (O). The name is derived from the elements present: ‘carbon’ for the carbon atom and ‘dioxide’ indicating that there are two oxygen atoms involved. Carbon dioxide is a colorless gas at room temperature and is a vital component of the Earth’s atmosphere, playing a significant role in the carbon cycle and in the process of photosynthesis.