What is the Difference Between Coordinate Covalent Bond and Covalent Bond?

The main difference between a covalent bond and a coordinate covalent bond lies in the electron donation process during bond formation:

Covalent Bond: A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share their unpaired electrons equally. In the formation of a simple covalent bond, each atom supplies one electron to the bond, and the shared electron pair is attracted by both nuclei. For example, in the molecule F2, each fluorine atom donates one electron to share with the other.
Coordinate Covalent Bond: A coordinate bond (also called a dative covalent bond) is a covalent bond in which both electrons involved in forming the bond come from the same atom. In order to form a coordinate bond, at least one lone electron pair should be present in one of the two atoms. For example, in the molecule BF4, the central atom B does not supply any electron to the covalent bond, while each fluorine atom provides two electrons to share with the central atom B.

In summary, a covalent bond is formed when both atoms donate an equal number of electrons, while a coordinate covalent bond is formed when only one atom donates a pair of electrons for the bond formation. Both types of bonds involve sharing electrons, but the process of electron donation differs between them.

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What is the Difference Between Coordinate Covalent Bond and Covalent Bond?

Comparative Table: Coordinate Covalent Bond vs Covalent Bond

The main difference between a covalent bond and a coordinate covalent bond lies in the source of the shared electrons. Here is a comparison between the two types of bonds:

Feature	Covalent Bond	Coordinate Covalent Bond
Number of bonding electrons	Two shared electrons, with each atom contributing one electron to the bond.	Two shared electrons, but either one atom or other ligands contributing both bonding electrons.
Electron Donation	Each atom provides one electron for bond formation.	One atom or a ligand donates both bonding electrons.
Electron Pairs and Reaction	Each atom has a full valence shell when covalent bonds form. Coords can donate free pairs in other reactions.	Coordinated atoms might not have a full valence shell. An electron pair acceptor might not be located on another atom.
Bond Formation	Electrons are shared between two atoms, resulting in a chemical compound.	Electrons are shared between a central atom and a ligand, resulting in a coordination compound.

In a covalent bond, both atoms contribute an electron to form the shared pair, while in a coordinate covalent bond, one atom or a ligand donates both electrons.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.