Question:medium

What is the order of the covalent character of CaCl2, CaF2, CaBr2, and CaI2?

Show Hint

Think about which halide ion is largest and most polarizable.
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
  • CaCl2 > CaF2 > CaBr2 > CaI2
  • CaF2 > CaCl2 > CaBr2 > CaI2
  • CaF2 < CaCl2 < CaBr2 < CaI2
  • CaCl2 > CaBr2 > CaI2 > CaF2
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: A different way to check covalent character is through Pauling's electronegativity difference. Take Ca electronegativity as 1.00, and halogens as F = 3.98, Cl = 3.16, Br = 2.96, I = 2.66.

Step 2: The electronegativity difference for each bond is $\Delta\chi(Ca-F) = 2.98$, $\Delta\chi(Ca-Cl) = 2.16$, $\Delta\chi(Ca-Br) = 1.96$, $\Delta\chi(Ca-I) = 1.66$.

Step 3: A smaller electronegativity difference means less ionic character and more covalent character, since a purely covalent bond has $\Delta\chi = 0$.

Step 4: Since $\Delta\chi$ falls steadily from Ca-F to Ca-I, the covalent character rises in the same order. \[CaF_2 \lt CaCl_2 \lt CaBr_2 \lt CaI_2\] \[\boxed{\text{Option (C)}}\]
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