Question

Potassium methoxide,,KOCH₃ contains both covalent and ionic bonds. Which do you think is which?

Short answer

Covalent and ionic bond formation in KOCH₃

Step-by-step solution

Chemical bond

The bond is the interaction between atoms that result in the formation of compounds; the chemical bond may be covalent or ionic, depending upon the heart of the bit and its ability to share electrons or transfer them. Ionic bonds are usually formed between atoms with significant electronegativity differences, whereas covalent bonds are formed between atoms with fewer differences.

Potassium methoxide

Potassium methoxidecontains both covalent and ionic bonds. The ionic bond is in between ion andion, as potassium belongs to the alkali metals and has only one electron to share; hence instead of sharing an electron, it donates one of its outer valence electrons to the oxygen atom and forms.

The covalent bond is present between O, C, and H, where all these species share their electron to complete their respective octet.

The ionic and covalent nature is shown in the Lewis structure of potassium methoxide as follows:

Covalent and ionic bond formation in KOCH₃

Thus, the ionic bond is present between K⁺ ion and^-OCH₃ion, and a covalent bond is formed between oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen.