Chapter 8.2, Problem 12LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The difference between the coordinate covalent bond and other covalent bonds needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction: When two or more atoms interact with each other, a chemical bond can form between them. There are two types of bonds; ionic and covalent depending on the type of atoms involved in bonding. If there is a huge electronegativity difference between two atoms, an ionic bond is formed between them and if two atoms have comparable electronegativity values, the covalent bond is formed.

Explanation of Solution

Covalent bonds are formed by sharing of electrons between two atoms. Here, both atoms have a comparable tendency of gaining or losing electrons. There are three types of covalent bonds depending on the relative electronegativity of bonded atoms. If atoms bonded together have nearly equal electronegativity, the bond formed by sharing of electrons between them is known as a non-polar covalent bond.

Similarly, if bonded atoms have unequal electronegativity, the atom with more electronegativity value will have a partial negative charge, and the atom with less electronegativity value will have a partial positive charge. The bond formed after sharing of electron/s between them will be polar in nature.

A coordinate covalent bond is formed when a single atom shares electron pair to form a bond. Here, both the shared electrons are donated by the same atom.

Thus, the main difference between a coordinate covalent bond and other covalent bonds is in a coordinate bond, a single atom shares an electron pair to form a bond but in other covalent bonds both the atoms involved in bonding share an electron pair.