Question

What type of bonding is present in compounds that can be electrolysed?

Answer 1

Ionic bond and/or covalent bond

Explanation:

For compounds to be electrolysed, positive cations and negative anions have to be found in the compound such that it can dissociate in water. Hence, most of the time, ionic bond, which is the bond between cations and anions, is found in the electrolytes. At the same time, polyatomic ions may appear, such as the sulphate ion. In these ions, covalent bonds and dative covalent bonds can be found.

Some exceptions of electrolytes that do not contain ionic bond includes hydrogen chloride (which breaks down to form hydrochloric acid) and other organic acids (such as citric acid and oxalic acid). In these molecules, only covalent bond can be found.

Hence, in most compounds that can be electrolysed, there can be ionic bond or covalent bond. Or both.