Question

Which is the most covalent
A) \[C-O\]
B) \[C-Br\]
C) \[C-S\]
D) \[C-F\]

Answer 1

Hint: The covalent character of a covalent bond depends on various factors like size of the cations and anions, electronegativity difference of the atoms. More the electronegativity difference less will be the covalent character.

Complete step by step solution:The covalent character of a bond depends on the electronegativity difference of the atoms forming the bond. As the electronegativity difference of a bond decreases its covalent character increases.
From the Pauling electronegativity scale we can get the values of electronegativity of the carbon atom as $2.5$ and the oxygen atom as $3.5$ . Thus the electronegativity difference for the carbon oxygen covalent bond is $3.5-2.5=1$ .
From the Pauling electronegativity scale we can get the values of electronegativity of the carbon atom as $2.5$ and for the fluorine atom as $4.0$ . Thus the electronegativity difference for the carbon fluorine covalent bond is $4.0-2.5=1.5$ .
From the Pauling electronegativity scale we can get the values of electronegativity of the carbon atom as $2.5$ and for the bromine atom as $2.8$ . Thus the electronegativity difference for the carbon bromine covalent bond is $2.8-2.5=0.3$ .
From the Pauling electronegativity scale we can get the values of electronegativity of the carbon atom as $2.5$ and for the sulfur atom as $2.5$ . Thus the electronegativity difference for the carbon sulfur covalent bond is $2.5-2.5=0$ .
Thus carbon sulfur bond has the highest covalent character.

Thus the correct option is C.

Note:According to pauling electronegativity scale fluorine is the most electronegative element. Thus carbon fluorine bond is least covalent and more ionic in nature.