Question

Can you order the following species with respect to ionic character: `ClF_3`; `N_2`; `KO_2`; `LiF`; `SO_2`?

Answer 1

In order of increasing ionic character:

`N_2, ClF_3, SO_2, LiF, K_2O`

Explanation:

In order of increasing ionic character:

`N_2, ClF_3, SO_2, LiF, K_2O`

Dinitrogen is not even a polar molecule. On the other hand, `ClF_3`, and `SO_2` have some degree of charge separation in their covalent bonds. Nevertheless, these species are still molecular, with marginal forces of attractions between molecule.

Both lithium fluoride, and potassium oxide ARE NON-MOLECULAR, and consist of discrete ions that are bound together by electrostatic forces in an infinite array. With a small cation such as lithium, there may be some polarization of the counter-ion, here `F^(-)`. And thus lithium fluoride may be ranked as of LESS ionic character than `K_2O`.