What is the role of electronegativity? Bonding What is the role of electronegativity?

Nuclei can pull on another atom’s electrons. Nuclei in a tug of war Nuclei can pull on another atom’s electrons.

Character determined by difference in electronegativities. Bond character Bonds are on a sliding scale from nonpolar covalent to ionic.

Equal electronegativity values = equal pull on the electrons Nuclei in a tug of war Nonpolar covalent bonds

Unequal electronegativity values = unequal pull on the electrons Nuclei in a tug of war Polar covalent bonds

Hugely unequal electronegativity values = essentially a transfer of electrons Nuclei in a tug of war Ionic bonds

Electron densities Bond character Note the equal, unequal and hugely unequal sharing of eletrons.