General Knowledge - Chemistry - Discussion

This question have more than one correct answer. Commonly 3 is right answer but when you give big exam as iit, ias etc. Then 4 is correct answer due to =N+=.

Valency of N is 3. Then how will share 4?

3 covalent and 1 co ordinate is possible, it is not possible that it can form 4 covalent.

Covalent sigma bond is also called coordinate bond. So there is also possibility of nitrogen to form 4 covalent bond. We can say nitrogen having 4 covalent bond.

The valency of nitrogen is 3 that means its electron affinity is 3, so it can form 3 covalent bonds with other element then how it is 4 ?

How it could be 4?

Nitrogen belongs to the 15th group element so its valence is 3 and it reach the octet configuration gains 3 electrons from other atom or element. How is possible 4.

There is a posibility of having the four bonds =N= in this it is having positive charge.

Nitrogen form three covelent bond and one co-ordinate bond.

For example, let's take ammonia (NH3), which has one unshared pair.


If it is placed in an acidic solution (a proton donator), H+ ions (protons), the ammonia takes in the proton and becomes NH4+, an ammonium ion. The H+ ion has a vacant 1s orbital in its valence shell and can accomodate two electrons. The two unshared pair of electrons in the ammonia can be donated to the H+.


An arrow from the nitrogen atom to the hydrogen ion indicates that the nitrogen is sharing it pair of electrons with it. This sharing is called an coordinate covalent bond.