Ionic Bonds w/ Covalent Character

[Justin Chu 1G]

What gives ionic bonds partial covalent character and how does this make it different from simply an ionic bond?

[Caitlin Mispagel 1D]

All ionic bonds have some covalent character because the electrons are pulled into the bonding region and the ion is distorted. This causes it have some covalent character. As the ion becomes larger, it has more covalent character because the electrons are farther from the nucleus and it is easier to distort the atom.

[Clara Hu 1G]

To add on, large, electron rich anions, can be highly distorted, so they have more covalent character, and are described as being highly polarizable. Small, highly charged cations, which have high polarizing power, cause large distortions and also lead to more covalent character.