What kind of bond exist between carbon and oxygen in C0₃²⁻?
Source: JAMB · 2024
What kind of bond exist between carbon and oxygen in C0₃²⁻?
Explanation
In the carbonate ion CO₃²⁻, the carbon atom and the three oxygen atoms are non-metals. Non-metal atoms join by sharing electrons, so the bonds between carbon and oxygen are covalent.
The 2− charge makes the whole ion negative. It is held to metal ions such as Na⁺ or Ca²⁺ by ionic (electrovalent) bonds, but that is a bond between the ion and the metal, not inside the ion.
Metallic bonding exists only between metal atoms, so it does not apply here.
Was this explanation helpful?
Something wrong or missing? Tell us — we read every report and fix issues fast.