Question

The maximum covalency of oxygen is$\mathrm{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}$

Answer 1

Covalency: It occurs when an element shares electrons with other atoms of the same or different elements in order to achieve a stable electrical state.

Covalency of oxygen:

• Normally, oxygen creates two bonds.
• $\mathrm{O}=2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^4$ valence shell configuration
• Due to a lack of valence d orbitals, its valency cannot be extended.
• However, due to an additional dative bond created by oxygen using one of its lone pairs
• Oxygen has $2$ missing electrons in the valence shell so it can form 2 dative bonds.
• Therefore it can only form 2 bonds at the most, if both are sigma bonds.
• The highest covalency of oxygen is $4$ due to the lack of d-orbitals in its valence shell.

Thus, the maximum covalency of oxygen is $4$