Question

Which is more covalent $\mathrm{LiCl}\mathrm{or}{\mathrm{BeCl}}_2$?

Answer 1

1. Lithium and Beryllium lose their electrons to form cations and are electropositive in nature.
2. But in the case of Chlorine, it gains electrons to form an anion.
3. It should be noted that the smaller is the size of the cation, greater will be the electrostatic attraction on the electrons anion.
4. Thus, greater will be the polarizing power and more covalent is the compound.
5. As Lithium forms ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ while Beryllium forms${\mathrm{Be}}^{+2}$, this suggests that Beryllium has a greater cationic charge which increases the covalent characters.
6. Thus, we concluded that a greater positive charge of Beryllium increases the polarizing power, and hence it becomes covalent in nature.
7. Therefore, Beryllium chloride$\left({\mathrm{BeCl}}_2\right)$ is more covalent compared with Lithium chloride $\left(\mathrm{LiCl}\right)$.