Question

Coordinate covalent bond is formed by:
A.Transfer of electrons
B.Sharing of electrons
C.Donation of electrons
D.None of these processes

Answer 1

To answer this question, you must recall the formation and properties of a coordinate bond. Atoms of one element bond with another atom of the same or other element in order to fill their outermost shell and gain stability.

Complete step by step solution:
- Coordinate bond is a type of covalent bond formed between two different atoms in which the electron pair is shared by both the atoms but both the electrons are shared by only one species. The species that is donating the electron pair is known as a Lewis base and the species that accepts the electron pair is known as a Lewis acid. This bonding is also known as a dative bond.
- This type of bond is generally formed when a species is electron deficient and cannot form a covalent bond due to the lack of electrons. A common example is boron trifluoride which is an electron deficient species and accepts an electron pair from an ammonia molecule and forms a coordinate bond.
Thus, we can say that the bond is formed by the donation of electrons.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

Additional information:
In a coordinate bond, the species that donates the electron is known as the donor and the species that accepts the electron is known as acceptor or the receptor. A coordinate bond is represented with an arrow from the donor atom pointing towards the acceptor atom. Coordinate bonding is integral to the Lewis theory.

Note: It should be noted that one might make a mistake and choose option A, that is, the transfer of electrons. But transfer of electrons takes place in an ionic bond. Since electrons are also shared by the two species in coordinate bonding, it is referred to as donation of electrons.