COMPOUNDS 5.6 - Classification of Bond Type
COMPOUNDS
5.6 - Classification of Bond Type
Summary of Bond Types:
Most compounds contain polar covalent bonds. This type of bonding is actually somewhere between the nonpolar covalent bonds and ionic bonding.
In general, let x be
the difference in electronegativity between bonding atoms.
if  |
then the bond is nonpolar covalent |
if  |
then the bond is polar covalent |
if  |
then the bond is ionic |
| Compound |
|
Bond type |
| H2 | 2.1 - 2.1 = 0 | nonpolar covalent |
| HCl | 3.0 - 2.1 = 0.9 | polar covalent |
| NaCl | 3.0 - 0.9 = 2.1 | ionic |
NB: For HF, the difference in electronegativity is 1.9, but the H-F bond is classified as polar covalent. Keep in mind, the ranges of x given above serves as a guideline for classification of bond type. Other properties of the compound also determines the type of bond that is formed.