Nitrogen trichloride is a covalent compound

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Question restated: The prompt asks whether nitrogen trichloride is a covalent compound, with two possible choices: True or False.
Option 1: True. This statement aligns with chemical bonding principles: nitrogen trichloride (NCl3) is a molecule composed of nonmetal elements that share electrons to form covalent bonds. The overall compound is held together by covalent bonds (N–Cl) and exists as discrete molecules, not as a network or ionic lattice. The covalent character explains properties typical of molecular compounds, such as relatively low melting/boiling points and poor electrical conductivity in the solid state.
Option 2: False. This would imply that NCl3 is not covalent, perhaps suggesting ionic character or a different bonding model. However, nitrogen and chlorine are both nonmetals, and their bonding typically involves electron sharing to form covalent bonds rather than complete electron transfer to form ions. There is no full metal-like lattice or extensive ionic interaction in NCl3 that would justify labeling it non-covalent or ionic.
Additional nuance: While some compounds exhibit partial ionic character due to differences in electronegativity, NCl3 is widely described as a covalent molecular compound. The statement’s truth value hinges on the general definition of covalent bonding as electron sharing between nonmetals, which applies here. If one were to consider resonance, polarity, or intermolecular forces (like dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion), these factors further support the covalent-molecule characterization rather than an ionic description.
Common misconceptions addressed:
- If someone thinks all chlorides of nitrogen must be ionic, that would be inaccurate for NCl3, which does not form a lattice of cations and anions.
- If one assumes covalent compounds cannot be liquids or solids at room temperature, that would misinterpret covalent bonding; many covalent molecular compounds are liquids or low-melting solids, though NCl3 is typically a liquid at room temperature with explosive properties.
In summary, the classification as covalent aligns with the typical textbook description of NCl3 as a covalent molecular compound, formed by shared electrons in N–Cl bonds, rather than an ionic solid composed of separate ions.

Nitrogen trichloride is a covalent compound

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