Question #7f57f

1 Answer
Dec 19, 2016

A coordinate covalent bond is one in which both bonding electrons are "provided" by the same atom.

Explanation:

In a coordinate bond, a lone pair from one atom overlaps (bonds) using an empty orbital of another atom. So, the bond is still two atoms sharing two electrons in overlapping orbitals.

This is common in polyatomic ions and makes it possible to draw Lewis diagrams for many of these (#NH_4^+#, #SO_4^(2-)# and so on).

This image is from Wikipedia

In this diagram, the lone pair of #NH_3# bonds with the empty 2#p# orbital of the boron atom.