Question

Are the electrons in a coordinate covalent bond donated by both the bonded atoms?

Answer 1

In a coordinate covalent bond, the electrons are conceived to be supplied by the ONE atom............

Explanation:

Consider the acid-base behaviour of ammonia:

`H_3N(aq) + H_2O(l) rightleftharpoons NH_4^(+) + HO^-`

The lone pair on ammonia is conceived to donate electrons to form a coordinate covalent bond with the proton. Of course in ammonium ion, `NH_4^+`, all of the `N-H` bonds are equivalent, but nitrogen has a formal positive charge because its lone pair has been donated to `H^+`.