Question

Explain how the ionic character in a covalent bond is related to electronegativity?

Answer 1

1. The extent of ionic character in a covalent bond can be related to the electronegativity difference of the bonded atoms.

2. In a typical polar molecule A^δ- – B^δ+ the electronegativity difference (X_A – X_B ) can be used to predict the percentage of the ionic character as follows

3. If the electronegativity difference X_A – X_B is equal to 1.7, then the bond A – B has 50% ionic character.

4. If it is greater than 1.7, then the bond X_A – X_B has more than 50% ionic character. 

5. If it is greater than 1.7, then the bond A – B has more than 50% ionic character. 

6. If it is lesser than 1.7, then the bond A – B has less than 50% ionic character.