Ionic Character of Covalent Bond

The molecules consisting of different atoms are known as polar molecules e.g. H₂O, HF, etc. In these molecules shared electrons are not equally attracted and the electron cloud is shifted towards more electronegativity atom. The atoms become partially charged. This covalent bond is not pure covalent but it has partial ionic character.

Electronegativity and Partial Ionic Character of Covalent Bond

The difference in the electronegativity of the two bonded atoms determines the extent of the ionic character of covalent bonds. For example, the H-F bond is 64% ionic and H-Cl is 17% ionic.

Ionic character greatly affects the properties of a molecule.

For example:

• Melting and boiling points of a polar molecule are high.
• These molecules become soluble in a polar solvent like water.
• The presence of partial ionic character shorter the covalent bonds.
• Bond energies of polar molecules are high as compared to covalent bonds.