MCAT General Chemistry Question 43: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 43

13. Which of the following is the best name for the new bond formed in the reaction shown?

  • A. Nonpolar covalent bond
  • B. Ionic bond
  • C. Coordinate covalent bond
  • D. Hydrogen bond

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

The reaction in this question shows a water molecule, which has two lone pairs of electrons on the central oxygen, combining with a free hydrogen cation. The resulting molecule, H3O+ has formed a new bond between H+ and H2O. This bond is created via the sharing of one of oxygen's lone pairs with the free H+ ion. This represents the donation of a shared pair of electrons from a Lewis base (H2O) to a Lewis acid (H+, electron acceptor). This type of bond is called a coordinate covalent bond.

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