What's the rule to covalent character

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To determine whether a compound is ionic or covalent, the general rule involves analyzing the types of elements involved and their electronegativities. Typically, compounds with metals bonded to nonmetals or polyatomic ions are considered ionic. However, exceptions exist, such as tetramethyl-lead(IV) ((CH3)4Pb), which is viewed as covalent despite containing lead, due to the nature of the bonding. Similarly, aluminum chloride (AlCl3) is classified as covalent in solid form, evidenced by its sublimation at around 200 degrees Celsius. There are no strict boundaries between ionic and covalent bonds; factors like electronegativity differences, Fajan's rules, and dipole moment calculations can help in classification, but many compounds exist in an intermediate state.
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What is the general rule to find out some compound is ionic or covalent?

For e.g: Tetramethyl-lead(IV) (CH3)4Pb, has lead metal in it.
Normally a metal bonded to a polyatomic molecule (or ion) is ionic, but i highly doubt it is the case here. I think (CH3)4Pb is covalent rather than ionic.

Another e.g is of Aluminium chloride (AlCl3) (in solid form) which was referred to-by my chemistry professor-as a covalent compound, together with the proof that it sublimes at about 200 Degrees C
 
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There are no strict boundaries between covalent and ionic bonds. You may use the differences in electronegativities, Fajan's rules, dipole moment calculations as indicators, but the cases you mentioned fall right into intermediate cases.
 

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