Electronegativity difference NaH

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of the bond in sodium hydride (NaH), specifically addressing whether it is purely ionic or possesses covalent character. Participants explore the implications of electronegativity differences and the characteristics of alkaline metal hydrides.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why NaH is considered ionic despite an electronegativity difference of less than 1.7.
  • Another participant asserts that all alkaline metal hydrides are ionic.
  • Some participants propose that NaH might exhibit covalent character alongside its ionic nature.
  • One participant argues that alkaline metals typically lose their valence electrons completely, suggesting a purely ionic bond.
  • Another participant counters that all bonds have some degree of covalent character, emphasizing the complexity of quantum mechanics.
  • A participant suggests that practical tests, such as the physical properties of NaH, could indicate its ionic nature.
  • There is a mention of the semantics involved in classifying the bond as either ionic or covalent.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether NaH is purely ionic or has covalent character, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their understanding, particularly regarding quantum mechanics and the definitions of ionic versus covalent bonds.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and individuals exploring the nature of chemical bonding, particularly in the context of hydrides and the properties of ionic versus covalent compounds.

Radwa Kamal
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Although the electronegativity difference between sodium and hydrogen in NaH is less than 1.7 , it is ionic bond WHY??
 
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Who told you it was ionic?
 
Any alkaline metal hydride is ionic

Ionic hydrides
Ionic or saline hydride, is a hydrogen atom bound to an extremely electropositive metal, generally an alkali metals or alkaline Earth metals.
source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydride#Ionic_hydrides
 
Do you think it is purely ionic or might it have a bit of covalent character to it?
 
I think it is purely ionic because for metals with weak metallic bond like alkaline metals it's a must to lose its valence electron completely for them they are are rarely found in covalent compounds.
 
Last edited:
Bah, everything's got a bit of a covalent character to it and vice-versa :) Do the actual QM calculations and you won't find nice integers popping up very often..
 
Thanx 4 enrichin me by this info in fact my study is somehow limited because am still in high school I didn't study QM calculations
 
Radwa Kamal said:
Thanx 4 enrichin me by this info in fact my study is somehow limited because am still in high school I didn't study QM calculations

Hi,

This is the same as, I have heard about as, this is what I have studied in my time.

Thanks!
 
Radwa Kamal said:
Thanx 4 enrichin me by this info in fact my study is somehow limited because am still in high school I didn't study QM calculations

With an electronegativity difference of only 1.7 it is likely a very polarized covalent bond or an very covalent ionic bond. Semantics.
 
  • #10
The only way I can tell to distinguish the two cases is on a macroscopic level. Let's face it, on a quantum level there's basically no straightforward way of telling ionic from covalent. (all the atoms are in a lattice and there's electrons everywhere)
So, if you hit a large crystal of NaH with a hammer, would it shatter? if you melt NaH (in an inert atmosphere), will it conduct electricity?
My gut says yes to both, and therefore I would say NaH is ionic.
 
  • #11
Yea its a Ionic Compound ( due to its properties) with more Covalent Character : )
We know nothing is Purely(100%) ionic or covalent : )
 

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