Which molecule contains a bond with the greatest ionic character?
- A. HF
- B. HCl
- C. HBr
- D. HI
Explanation
Fluorine is the most electronegative element, so the difference from hydrogen is largest in hydrogen fluoride and the shared pair is most unevenly distributed. Ionic character therefore falls down the group as the halogen becomes less electronegative. This trend also explains why hydrogen fluoride is the only one of the four that hydrogen bonds strongly.