High Polarization and Covalent Character

[LeAnn_Lee_1K]

Why are molecules that are highly polarizable ore covalent. I know that high polarizaiton means that is electrons are more easily distored, so why would that make them more easy to share electrons with other molecules (covalent bond). Wouldn't it also make it more easy to transfer electrons (ionic bond)?

[806468747]

First we need to know that for bonds to have covalent character, there must be overlapping of orbitals where the extent of overlapping determines the strength of the bond. The extent of covalent character of a ionic compound depends on the extent of overlapping of the atomic orbitals. Having higher polarization power results in the stronger ability of cation to distort an anion. When distortion happens, it means the electron cloud of the anion is being pulled by the cation, thus creating this overlapping of orbitals. So now the ionic compound has a covalent character.