dative bond
- noun
- /ˈdeɪtɪv bɒnd/
- Specialized
:
enlace dativo
- A dative bond forms when one atom donates both electrons.
Examples
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The ammonia boron trifluoride complex contains a dative bond between nitrogen and boron.
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A dative bond is often represented by an arrow from the donor to the acceptor atom.
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Chemistry students learned how a dative bond differs from a typical covalent bond.
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In ammonia, a dative bond exists between nitrogen and hydrogen.
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A dative bond is formed when an atom shares a pair of electrons supplied entirely by one atom.
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In the formation of the ammonia boron trifluoride complex, a dative bond plays a crucial role between nitrogen and boron.
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Understanding the concept of a dative bond helps students differentiate it from regular covalent bonds.
Synonyms
A chemical bond where one atom gives both electrons for the pair shared by two atoms
Surface Forms
Morphology
dative + bond
The component 'dative' (etymologically related to giving/donation) combined with 'bond' allows a learner who knows both words to infer that this is a bond involving a donor action, so the general idea of a donation-style bond is accessible. However, the precise technical meaning — that both electrons in the shared pair come from the same atom — is specialized chemistry knowledge and not fully predictable from everyday senses of the constituents, so the term is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Dative bond comes from dative, an old word for 'giving', and bond, a connection. The image to remember is simple: one atom 'gives' both electrons to make the shared pair, so the phrase means a bond where one atom provides both electrons.
