Ionic vs Coordinate Covalent

[spdental]

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I received a question that asked: when one atom donates both electrons, what type of bond is formed?

Both Ionic and Coordinate Covalent bonds were in the answer choice.

I was under the impression that ionic bonds were the complete transfer of valence electrons - now that I look into it coordinate covalent bonds are when both electrons come from one atom. So in this case how would I have picked between the too?

Can ionic bonds not donate both electrons?

 

[FeralisExtremum]

You could have donation of multiple electrons in the formation of an ionic bond - it's pretty tricky to distinguish the two types of bonds given the phrasing of the question. These two bonds really differ in their 'sharing' of the electrons (in covalent bonding the electrons are shared more or less equally) after the bond is established and the electronegativity difference involved between the bonding atoms.

Since the question only asks about donation of electrons, either one could be applicable.

 

[lemonscentedsoap]

According to chad, ionic bonding is a transfer of electrons. like in the case of salt. Na+ and Cl-. Sodium gives up an electron. a coordinate covalent bond is where the electrons are provided and shared b one atom. the other atom contributes nothing.

the atom that provides the pair of electrons is the lewis base. and the atom that receives both electrons is the lewis acid.