Equal electronegativities and covalent bond formation

[sp3sp2sp]

Homework Statement

True or false: When two atoms are equally electronegative, they will interact to form polar covalent bonds.

Homework Equations

Atoms with similar or equal electronegativities share electrons between them and are connected by covalent bonds.
Atoms with large differences in electronegativity transfer electrons to form ions. The ions then are attracted to each other, = an ionic bond.

The Attempt at a Solution

I answered true and it was marked wrong. Not understanding why though. The only thing I can think of is maybe the question is asking if two atoms of equal electronegativity will necessarily form covalent bond. Other than that, I thought it should be true. Not sure what I did wrong. thanks

 

[sp3sp2sp]

this is stupid. I just noticed it says "polar" covalent. That must be the problem!

 

[DrClaude]

this is stupid. I just noticed it says "polar" covalent. That must be the problem!

Yes, it is the qualifier "polar" that makes the statement false.

 

[DrDu]

Just wanted to note that, while this statement is probably true for the interaction of only two atoms, there are counterexamples when more than two are involved.
For example, there exists a partially ionic modification of boron (Gamma-boron) consisting of B2+ and B12- clusters arranged in a NaCl type lattice.

 

[sjb-2812]

Isn't that simply because the electronegativities of the pseudoatoms B₂⁺ and B₁₂^- are not the same though, at some level?