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Difficulty: MediumCovalent and Dative (Coordinate) Bonding

Ammonium chloride (NH4ClNH_4Cl) is synthesized by reacting ammonia gas with hydrogen chloride gas. Which types of chemical bonding exist within solid ammonium chloride?

  1. Covalent, coordinate (dative), and ionic bondsAnswer
  2. B
    Covalent, ionic, and metallic bonds
  3. C
    Ionic, coordinate, and hydrogen bonds
  4. D
    Covalent, metallic, and coordinate bonds

Answer

Covalent, coordinate (dative), and ionic bonds
Ammonium chloride (NH4ClNH_4Cl) exhibits three distinct types of chemical bonds: (1) Covalent bonds between nitrogen and three hydrogen atoms in the original ammonia molecule, (2) A coordinate (dative) bond formed when nitrogen donates its lone pair to a hydrogen ion (H+H^+) to form the ammonium ion (NH4+NH_4^+), and (3) An ionic (electrovalent) bond between the NH4+NH_4^+ cation and the Cl−Cl^- anion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the ammonia molecule (NH3NH_3).
Nitrogen shares electron pairs with three hydrogen atoms, forming three polar covalent bonds and retaining one unshared lone pair of electrons.
Covalent bonding occurs when non-metal atoms share pairs of valence electrons.
2
Analyze the formation of the ammonium ion (NH4+NH_4^+).
Nitrogen donates its lone pair of electrons to an electron-deficient hydrogen ion (H+H^+), forming one coordinate (dative) covalent bond.
A coordinate bond is formed when one atom provides both electrons for the shared pair.
3
Analyze the interaction between the ammonium ion (NH4+NH_4^+) and the chloride ion (Cl−Cl^-).
Electrostatic attraction between the positively charged NH4+NH_4^+ cation and negatively charged Cl−Cl^- anion forms an ionic bond.
Oppositely charged ions attract each other to form a stable crystal lattice.

Key Concept

Coexistence of covalent, dative, and ionic bonding in polyatomic salts
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Covalent and Dative (Coordinate) Bonding

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