coordinate bond

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coordinate bond

chemistry

Also known as: coordination, dative covalent bond, donor bond, semipolar bond(Show More)

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June 24, 2026

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A coordinate bond, also known as a dative bond, is a type of covalent bond where one atom supplies both electrons for the shared pair. This is different from a typical covalent bond, where each atom contributes one electron to the shared pair.123

In this type of bond, one atom acts as an electron donor, and the other acts as an electron acceptor. This concept was further developed by Gilbert N. Lewis, who described acids as electron pair acceptors and bases as electron pair donors. A common example is the bond formed between boron trifluoride (BF₃) and ammonia (NH₃), where ammonia donates its electron pair to boron trifluoride. Coordinate bonds are fundamental in the structure and bonding of coordination compounds.345

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acid–base reaction
Reactions of Lewis acids
…bond is termed semipolar or coordinate, as in the reaction of boron trifluoride with ammonia:
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…bond is termed semipolar or coordinate, as in the reaction of boron trifluoride with ammonia:
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chemical compound
Inorganic compounds
…metal atom to form a coordinate-covalent bond.
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…metal atom to form a coordinate-covalent bond.
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chemical bonding
Lewis formulation of a covalent bond
…a bond was called a coordinate covalent bond or a dative bond and symbolized O → H⁻. However, the difficulties encountered in the attempt to keep track of the origin of bonding electrons and the suggestion that a coordinate covalent bond differs somehow from a covalent bond (it does not)…
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…a bond was called a coordinate covalent bond or a dative bond and symbolized O → H⁻. However, the difficulties encountered in the attempt to keep track of the origin of bonding electrons and the suggestion that a coordinate covalent bond differs somehow from a covalent bond (it does not)…
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ceramic composition and properties
Chemical bonds
…phenomenon is referred to as coordination.
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…phenomenon is referred to as coordination.
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nitrogen group element
Variations in bonding capacity
…can become involved in the bonding is by their becoming sufficiently stable to attract a lone pair of electrons from a donor. For example, PF₅ can serve as an electron pair acceptor through an outer d orbital to coordinate a fluoride ion donor and form the complex ion PF₆⁻.
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…can become involved in the bonding is by their becoming sufficiently stable to attract a lone pair of electrons from a donor. For example, PF₅ can serve as an electron pair acceptor through an outer d orbital to coordinate a fluoride ion donor and form the complex ion PF₆⁻.
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organometallic compound
In donor-acceptor bonds, the metal atom is connected to hydrocarbons with multiple bonds between carbon atoms.
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In donor-acceptor bonds, the metal atom is connected to hydrocarbons with multiple bonds between carbon atoms.
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