gchem destroyer #6, help!

[drpepper47]

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6. Which of the following are most likely to be a molecule?
a) LiCl
b) CaBr2
c) SI4
d) Al2O3
e) CaSO4

answer is c because it is a covalent molecule with stable independent existence.
You can eliminate the ionic compounds because they do not exist as individual molecules.
But how would you be able to choose which compound is correct after eliminating the ionic compounds?
please help! thanks!

 

[Ryltar]

All of the compounds above except SI4 are ionic, as each contains an ionic bond between metal and non-metal. SI4 consists only of non-metals, thus it is covalent. Eliminating the ionic compounds leaves you with only one choice, which is C.