The correct sequence of increasing covalent character is represented by?

  1. #LiCl < NaCl < BeCl_2#
  2. #BeCl_2 < LiCl < NaCl#
  3. #NaCl < LiCl < BeCl_2#
  4. #BeCl_2 < NaCl < LiCl#

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Nov 27, 2017

3. #"NaCl < LiCl < BeCl"_2#

Explanation:

In a bond between two atoms #"M"# and #"X"#, the amount of covalent character in the #"M-X"# bond will depend on the difference in electronegativity #Δ"EN"# be the two atoms.

If #Δ"EN"# is small, the bond will have a large amount of covalent character.

If #Δ"EN"# is large, the bond will have a small amount of covalent character.

The electronegativity of atoms increases from top to bottom and from left to right in the Periodic Table.

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#"Cl"# is on the top right of the Periodic Table, while #"Li, Be"#, and #"Na"# are clustered on the top left.

But #"Na"# is closest to the bottom and #"Be"# is closest to the right.

Electronegativities increase in the order #"Na < Li < Be"#, so

#Δ"EN"# decreases in the order #" Na-Cl > Li-Cl > Be-Cl"#.

∴ The degree of covalent character increases in the order

#"NaCl < LiCl < BeCl"_2#

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