s2.3 Triangular bonding diagram

• We like to think of bond as separated types (ionic, covalent, metallic), meaning "discrete categories," but that is NOT true!
• Bonding is best described as a continuum between the ionic, covalent and metallic models, and can be represented by a bonding triangle.
• Discrete bonding categories create a limitation that a compound can only has certain properties (ionic or covalent) whereas in reality, some compounds have some characteristics of both ionic and covalent compounds.

Estimate the percentage of covalent bonding and of ionic bonding uses section 17 (new data booklet). Here are the steps to use this:

1. Look in section 9 of the data booklet, find the Electronegativity (EN) values for each of the asked elements.

Example: estimate the percentage of covalent bond between C and O
C = 2.6 and O = 3.4

2. Calculate (use a calculator)

Example of C and O:

Average EN = (2.6 + 3.4) / 2 = 3.0

EN difference = 3.4 - 2.6 = 0.8

3. Look along the x-axis for the value of average EN and the y-axis for the EN difference. Draw two lines, the point of two lines intersection is the compound you are looking for.

4. Look on the graph and to the right for % covalent 

Example of C and O:

Around 80% covalent character

It is polar covalent