Also the greater the separation of two elements in the electronegativity
scale, the stronger will be the bond between them.
Table 8 Electronegativity and type of Bond
Electronegativity
difference |
Covalent
character |
Ionic
character |
Bond
type |
0.0
0.4
0.8
1.0 |
100
97
88
82 |
0
3
12
18 |
Covalent |
1.2
1.6
2.0 |
75
60
40 |
25
40
60 |
Polar |
2.4
2.6
3.0 |
32
26
10 |
68
74
90 |
Ionic |
Based on the above two tables of electro-negativity the bond character
of a molecule can be predicted.
Example :
HF 4.0 - 2 . 2 = 1.8
F H
The difference in electronegativity is 1.8. Based on the above table it indicates that it will have 50% covalent and 50% ionic character. Hence the bond type is polar.
In case of CO2 it will be
3.5 - 2.5 = 1
O C
Having electronegativity of 1 means it is a covalent bond.
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