I'm not talking about the easy binary compounds where u can just measure the electronegativity. I'm talking about polyatomic ions/atoms with covalent bonds. For CO supercscript 3 with subscript 2- ... How would u know if it's covalent or ionic?
2006-10-28 13:45:34 · 5 answers · asked by bebeeangeldust 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
P.S. I know carbonate is not polyatomic. Just wondering how u would tell diff oc ionic v covalent for carbonate, other compounds like it, and polyatomic ones
2006-10-28 13:49:02 · update #1
It is covalent because the electronegativity of C and O are similar. With 2 more negative charges, all the three O atoms and the C atom have 8 electrons around them to complete the octat. Also,experimentally no one has detected any fragmentation of carbonate ion to produce more ions. Most inorganic salt are ionic compounds and most of the organic compounds are covalent compounds. Take this advise because I am a PhD chemist.
2006-10-28 14:12:02 · answer #1 · answered by forby_mm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Carbonate is a polyatomic covalently-bonded anion with a 2- charge. It contains non-metals only, so it is covalent. The fact that it has a 2- charge means that it will form an ionic bond with a metal ion.
2006-11-01 06:37:18 · answer #2 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ionic compunds are usually between elements on the oppostie sides of the p-table(b/c ex:Na^+1 will bond with Cl^-1, they stick together b/c of their opposite charges)
covalent bonds are between non-metals who stick together b/c they share valence electrons. Think of diamonds>carboncarboncarbon...! And Carbonate has a covalent bond (it's oxygen and carbon).
Ha! I am simple.
2006-10-28 15:06:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't understand your question though carbonate if combines with Na, Mg and other Alkaline and alkaline earth metals excep Li and Be it is ionic
but if you're asking just of carbonate then it is not ionic means carbonate can't dissociate in the water into carbon and oxygen. carbonate has one clear single bond with oxygen and other two C-O bonds share a partial double bond and has a lone pair
2006-10-28 16:37:11 · answer #4 · answered by Sanskar 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ionic compounds are with a nonmetal and a metal. Covalent compounds are between two nonmetals.
2006-10-28 16:55:45 · answer #5 · answered by Daniel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋