what compounds don't involve covalent bonds?

Question

Which compound below does not involve covalent bonds?

(A) C2H6

(B) SF4

(C) O2

(D) Mg3N2

 

stuck on this question. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for taking the time to post your question!

The only compound in the list that doesn’t involve covalent bonds is choice (D) Mg3N2 … that one is an ionic compound, meaning that it’s formed when electrons are transferred from the metal to the non-metal.

The other three choices listed all have covalent bonds where the atoms share electrons so they would not be included in this list.

I hope that helps you get moving in a better direction on this type of question! Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions beyond that :)

Answer 2

Covalent bonds share electrons between two atoms, or rather, one completes the missing electron in the other. So you'll find that determining where each atom lies in the magic table makes a difference here. For example: a) C2H6 C has a +4 and H, -1, so when two carbon atoms connect to each other, that's +6 left, so 6 hydrogen atoms will complete that. b) S has +2 and F has +1 so four Flouride atoms are not forming covalent bonds with one Sulfur atom. c) oxygen each has +2 so this is a covalent bond. d) Mg has -2 and N has +3 so three magnesium atoms (-6) and two nitrogen atoms (6) is going to form a covalent bond.

 

That means the answer is b.