Question

What is a coordinate covalent bond?

Answer 1

A donor bond, in which the two electrons forming the bond formally derive from the ONE atom...............

Explanation:

And it is observed in acid-base chemistry, and in coordination chemistry:

`NH_3 + H_2O rarr NH_4^+ + HO^-`

Ammonia is a fairly weak base, and it is conceived to undergo reaction with water to give ammonium ion, and hydroxide ions.........

Ammonium contains `4xxN-H` bonds, all of which cannot be distinguished by symmetry. ONE of the bonds is a coordinate covalent, i.e. a donative bond, in that ONE pair of the 4 bonding electrons derives from the nitrogen lone pair.

Coordination chemistry, the chemistry of transition metal chemistry with various ligand donors is replete with coordinate bonds. Why?

`M^(n+) +6OH_2 rarr [M(OH_2)_6]^(n+)`

Claro?