How do electronegativity values determine the bonding in a compound?

Question

Brooklyn Barber · Accepted Answer

The electronegativity determine the nature of the bonding in a compound, from non polar to ionic.

When atoms "share" electrons, a compound is formed by a chemical bond. In a chemical bond, the type of electron "sharing" is determined by electronegativity. If the Electronegativity is very close to the same between the two atoms the electrons are shared roughly evenly. Each atom will have close to 50% of the electron density. This equal or close to equal sharing results in a non polar bond. This occurs in molecules like Hydrocarbons such as octane, and Nitrogen #N_2# One atom (or polyatomic ion) will have the vast majority of the electron density, while the other atom (or polyatomic ion) will have very little of the electron density. This type of unequal sharing results in an ionic bond and leaves one atom with a positive charge and the other atom with a negative charge. If the electronegativity is very different between the two atoms, the electrons are shared very unevenly. One atom in a polar covalent bond will have a partial positive charge, and the other atom will have a partial negative charge; these differences in electronegativity are not as great as those found in ionic bonds.

Nicholas Antonuccio · Answer

undefined Electronegativity values determine the bonding in a compound by influencing the type of chemical bond formed. Larger electronegativity differences between atoms result in ionic bonding, where electrons are transferred. Smaller differences lead to covalent bonding, where electrons are shared.