Question

The number of dative bonds in sulphuric acid molecule is:
(A) $0$
(B) $1$
(C) $2$
(D) $4$

Answer 1

Hint: Dative bond is another name for coordinate bond. It is also a type of covalent bond in which both the electrons are donated by one atom at another, unlike an ordinary covalent bond where there is mutual sharing. Each of the atoms brings an electron to form a bond.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
Sulphuric acid, also called as oil of vitriol has chemical formula\[{H_2}S{O_4}\]. Sulphur has a very high affinity for oxygen. The tendency of pπ−dπ bonding increases which increases the back bonding tendency as we move along the period from carbon to chlorine. Thus, from carbon to chlorine the formation of double bonds with oxygen tendency increases. Hence, sulphur has a very tendency to form pi bonds with oxygen.(before carbon the elements do not show covalent bonding).

Pi bond between sulphur and oxygen releases more energy and leads to more stability than a single bond between $S$ and $O$. Thus, when drawing the structure of sulphuric acid first priority is given to double bond with oxygen.

This double bond is actually back bonding which is a dative bond. Thus, there are $2$ dative bonds in sulphuric acid.
Hence, The correct answer is C.

Note: Sometimes, a dative bond is misunderstood as an ionic bond because the atom accepting the electron is represented by negative charge while donation of electron by the atom bears negative charge. sulphuric acid has zero charge on it but it is a charged molecule due to the electronegativity difference between \[S\]and\[O\]. The molecule has sp3 hybridization and it is tetrahedral in shape.