Classify each chemical compound: Compound Type of compound CrFâ‚‚ Ionic Molecular BP Ionic Molecular MnCrOâ‚„ Ionic Molecular
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Here is the correctly classified table:
| compound | type of compound |
| CrF₂ | ionic |
| BP | molecular |
| MnCrO₄ | ionic |
Explanation:
The classification of a compound as ionic or molecular depends on the type of chemical bond that holds its atoms together. The key principle is that ionic bonds typically form between a metal and a nonmetal, while molecular (or covalent) bonds form between two or more nonmetals.
CrF₂ (Chromium(II) fluoride): Ionic
This compound is composed of chromium (Cr), which is a transition metal, and fluorine (F), which is a nonmetal. When a metal and a nonmetal combine, the metal atom usually transfers one or more electrons to the nonmetal atom. In this case, the chromium atom loses two electrons to become a positive ion (cation, Cr²⁺), and each of the two fluorine atoms gains one electron to become a negative ion (anion, F⁻). The strong electrostatic attraction between the positively charged chromium ion and the negatively charged fluoride ions creates an ionic bond, making CrF₂ an ionic compound.
BP (Boron phosphide): Molecular
This compound consists of boron (B), a metalloid, and phosphorus (P), a nonmetal. To determine the bond type here, it is helpful to consider electronegativity, which is the measure of an atom’s ability to attract shared electrons. Boron and phosphorus have very similar electronegativity values. Because the difference is so small, electrons are shared between the atoms rather than being transferred. The sharing of electrons is the defining characteristic of a covalent bond. Therefore, boron phosphide is a molecular compound, existing as a hard, covalent network solid.
MnCrO₄ (Manganese(II) chromate): Ionic
This compound contains manganese (Mn), a metal, and the chromate group (CrO₄). The chromate group is a polyatomic ion, meaning it is a group of covalently bonded atoms (one chromium and four oxygen atoms) that together have a net charge of 2- (CrO₄²⁻). Any compound that contains a polyatomic ion bonded to a metal is classified as ionic. The bond forms between the positive metal ion (manganese cation, Mn²⁺) and the negative polyatomic ion (chromate anion, CrO₄²⁻). This electrostatic attraction makes MnCrO₄ an ionic compound.
