Why Don't Chlorine and Bromine Bond Together?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of why chlorine and bromine do not typically form a covalent compound, exploring the nature of their bonding and the conditions under which they can share electrons. The scope includes theoretical aspects of covalent bonding and the specific properties of chlorine and bromine.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the ability of chlorine and bromine to form a covalent compound, suggesting that their high electronegativity may prevent them from losing electrons.
  • Another participant explains that while chlorine and bromine have positive ionization enthalpy and negative electron gain enthalpy, they can share electrons to form covalent bonds in certain compounds.
  • A participant points out that chlorine and bromine do form covalent molecules, such as Cl2 and Br2, indicating that they can bond with themselves.
  • There is mention of specific compounds like CCl4, CH2Br, and CH3Br, which involve chlorine and bromine in covalent bonding scenarios.
  • One participant notes that bromine monochloride is a compound formed by chlorine and bromine, suggesting that they can indeed bond covalently under certain conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the bonding capabilities of chlorine and bromine, with some arguing that they cannot form covalent compounds while others provide examples of existing compounds. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the generality of their bonding behavior.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for further clarification on the conditions under which chlorine and bromine can bond, as well as the energy requirements associated with forming specific compounds.

Colin Cheng
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Why can't chlorine and bromine form a covalent compound?Colin
 
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They are highly electronegative. They can only accept electrons, but they can't lose them, as this would require a lot of energy. They have positive ionisation enthalpy value and negative electron gain enthalpy.
 
Last edited:
But chlorine, bromine, fluorine... They form molecules which are covalent too... I mean like Cl2, Br2...Colin
 
Yes, they do form covalent compounds, for example in CCl4, there are four covalent bonds, and in CH2Br, CH3Br, etc. I forgot that it's hard for them to lose electrons, but they can share them, as in Carbon tetrachloride.
 
So it also requires a lot energy when they form CH3Br and CH2Br?Colin
 
Colin Cheng said:
Why can't chlorine and bromine form a covalent compound?

They do, it is called bromine monochloride.
 
Oh I see thanks!Colin
 

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