Question

Why is ${\mathrm{Cl}}_2$ a covalent bond?

Answer 1

Covalent bonding:

• A chemical bond involving the sharing of electron pairs between atoms is known as a covalent bond.

Chlorine:

• Chlorine$\left(\mathrm{Cl}\right)$ has an atomic number $17$ so its electronic configuration $\left[\mathrm{Ne}\right]3{\mathrm{s}}^{2}3{\mathrm{p}}^5$. So, chlorine has $7$ valence electrons.
• To complete its octet, each chlorine shares its one electron and a chlorine molecule (${\mathrm{Cl}}_2$) having a covalent bond is formed.
• The formation of chlorine moleule is shown below:

• There must be a significant difference in their electronegativities for an ionic connection to form between them, which doesn't exist as both the chlorine atoms will have the same electronegativity.

Hence, ${\mathrm{Cl}}_2$ is a covalent bond.