What is one way to recognize that something has a coordinate covalent compound?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
One way to recognize that something has a coordinate covalent bond is by identifying a bond in which both electrons in the shared pair come from the same atom.
Explanation:
A coordinate covalent bond, also known as a dative bond, is a special type of covalent bond in which both of the shared electrons originate from the same atom. In contrast, in a regular covalent bond, each atom contributes one electron to the bond.
This type of bond often forms when an atom with a lone pair of electrons donates that pair to an atom or ion that has an empty orbital. A classic example is the formation of the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺). In this case, the nitrogen atom in ammonia (NH₃) has a lone pair of electrons. When a hydrogen ion (H⁺), which has no electrons, approaches the nitrogen atom, the lone pair on nitrogen is donated to form a bond with the hydrogen ion. This creates a new N–H bond, but in this case, both electrons in the bond came from nitrogen. That specific N–H bond is a coordinate covalent bond.
Another example is found in metal complexes, such as when ammonia donates a pair of electrons to a metal ion like Cu²⁺. The nitrogen in ammonia has a lone pair, which can be donated to form a bond with the metal ion. In these cases, the presence of a metal ion with vacant orbitals and a ligand with lone pairs is a strong indicator of coordinate bonding.
To recognize a coordinate covalent bond, look for an atom that is donating a lone pair of electrons to an electron-deficient species. These bonds are commonly found in coordination compounds, polyatomic ions, and transition metal complexes.