Dative Covalent Bonding (AQA A Level Chemistry)

Revision Note

Test yourself
Stewart

Author

Stewart

Last updated

Dative Covalent Bonding

  • In simple covalent bonds, the two atoms involved share electrons
  • Some molecules have a lone pair of electrons that can be donated to form a bond with an electron-deficient atom
    • An electron-deficient atom is an atom that has an unfilled outer orbital

  • So both electrons are from the same atom
  • This type of bonding is called dative covalent bonding or coordinate bonding
  • An example with a dative bond is in an ammonium ion
    • The hydrogen ion, H+ is electron-deficient and has space for two electrons in its shell
    • The nitrogen atom in ammonia has a lone pair of electrons which it can donate to the hydrogen ion to form a dative covalent bond

 Chemical Bonding Dative Covalent Bonding Ammonium ion, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Ammonia (NH3) can donate a lone pair to an electron-deficient proton (H+) to form a charged ammonium ion (NH4+)

  • Aluminium chloride is also formed using dative covalent bonding
  • At high temperatures aluminium chloride can exist as a monomer (AlCl3)
    • The molecule is electron-deficient and needs two electrons to complete the aluminium atom’s outer shell

  • At lower temperatures the two molecules of AlCl3 join together to form a dimer (Al2Cl6)
    • The molecules combine because lone pairs of electrons on two of the chlorine atoms form two coordinate bonds with the aluminium atoms

Chemical Bonding Dative Covalent Bonding Aluminium chloride, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Aluminium chloride is also formed with a dative covalent bond in which two of the chlorine atoms donate their lone pairs to each of the aluminium atoms to form a dimer

Examiner Tip

In dative covalent bonding, both electrons in the covalent bond are shared by one atom.

A dative covalent bond is drawn using an arrow from the donated pair of electrons to the electron-deficient atom.

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.