Question

What is a coordinate covalent bond? Is it different from a normal covalent bond?

Short answer

A coordinate covalent bond is one in which both shared electrons come from the same atom, whereas in a normal covalent bond, each atom provides one electron for the bond. Thus, while they are both types of covalent bonds, the source of the shared electrons differs.

Step-by-step solution

Define a Coordinate Covalent Bond

A coordinate covalent bond, also known as a dative bond, is a type of covalent bond where the two electrons shared between two atoms are contributed by one of the bonding atoms. This generally happens when one atom (the donor) has a lone pair of electrons that could be potentially shared, and the other atom (the acceptor) has an empty orbital ready to accept the electrons.

Define a Covalent Bond

A normal covalent bond, on the other hand, is a type of chemical bond where two atoms share a pair of electrons with each other. This sharing generally occurs so that the atoms can have a full outermost electron shell and reach a more stable electronic configuration.

Highlight the Differences

The primary difference between the coordinate covalent bond and the normal covalent bond lies in the origin of the shared electrons. In a coordinate covalent bond, both shared electrons originate from the same atom, while in a covalent bond, one electron from each atom participates in forming the bond.