Question

Which of the following is made up of a coordinate covalent bond?
A.
sodium chloride (NaCl)
B.
ammonia (NH3)
C.
chlorine (Cl2)
D.
aluminium bromide (AlBr3)
E.
carbon monoxide (CO)

Answer 1

A coordinate covalent bond (also known as a dative bond) is formed when one atom donates both of the electrons for the bond, whereas in a standard covalent bond, both atoms contribute one electron each.

Among the options provided:

- A. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is an ionic compound formed by the transfer of electrons, not a covalent bond.
- B. Ammonia (NH3) has regular covalent bonds, where nitrogen shares its electrons with hydrogen.
- C. Chlorine (Cl2) is a diatomic molecule formed by a standard covalent bond between two chlorine atoms.
- D. Aluminium bromide (AlBr3) primarily consists of ionic character and regular covalent bonds, but does not strongly exhibit coordinate covalent bonding.
- E. Carbon monoxide (CO) features a coordinate covalent bond where the carbon atom donates a pair of electrons to the oxygen atom.

Therefore, the correct answer is **E. carbon monoxide (CO)**, as it contains a coordinate covalent bond.