Is PF3 ionic or covalent?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the compound PF3 is ionic or covalent. This involves understanding the types of bonds that form between phosphorus and fluorine in this molecule.
Answer
covalent
The final answer is covalent
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is covalent
More Information
Phosphorus trifluoride (PF3) forms a covalent bond where phosphorus and fluorine atoms share electrons. This results in a molecular compound held together by covalent bonds.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume PF3 is ionic because it contains fluorine, which is highly electronegative. However, the overall structure and electron sharing indicate it is covalent.
Sources
- Is a PF3 ionic or a covalent bond? - ECHEMI - echemi.com
- Is phosphorus trifluoride ionic? - Answers.com - answers.com