Question
Arrange the bonds in order of increasing ionic character in the molecules:
LiF, K2O, N2, SO2 and ClF3.
Solution
Dipole moment helps in calculating the percentage ionic character of polar bonds. It is the ratio of observed dipole moment to the dipole moment for the complete transfer of electrons. Greater the difference in electronegativity of bonding atoms, the greater will be the ionic character.
On this basis, the order of increasing ionic character in the given molecules is,
N2 < SO2 < ClF3 < K2O < LiF
