When a Lewis base reacts with a Lewis acid, a coordination bond is formed. Nucleophiles are Lewis bases and electrophiles are Lewis acids. (HL)
Syllabus reference R3.4.7Reactivity 3.4.7 - When a Lewis base reacts with a Lewis acid, a coordination bond is formed. Nucleophiles are Lewis bases and electrophiles are Lewis acids. (HL)
- Draw and interpret Lewis formulas of reactants and products to show coordination bond formation in Lewis acid–base reactions.
Guidance
Tools and links
- Structure 2.2 - Do coordination bonds have any different properties from other covalent bonds?
The coordinate bond
The coordinate bond, also called a dative (from the latin, meaning "given") is formed when both of the bonding electrons originate on the same atom.
It is important to appreciate that there is no difference between a coordinate bond and a normal covalent bond in terms of bond length and strength, or bonding mechanism as they are both identical - a pair of electrons attracting two nuclear centres.
The ONLY difference between a coordinate bond and a covalent bond is the origin of the electron pair.