After Pauling rules the electronegativity of aluminium is 1,61 and the electronegativity of chlorine 3,16; the difference is 1,55.
The electronegativity difference between Al and Cl in Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3) is around 1.5. Aluminum is less electronegative than chlorine, so there is a moderate polarity in the Al-Cl bond.
The electronegativity difference between Al and Cl in an Al-Cl bond is large because Cl is much more electronegative than Al. Chlorine has an electronegativity of 3.16, while aluminum has an electronegativity of 1.61, resulting in a difference of 1.55 in electronegativity.
AlCl3Although a metal-nometal compound, AlCl3 is not ionic (as might be predicted). Single covalent bonds form between aluminum and three chlorine atoms, forming AlCl3 molecules. Two of these join together (forming a 'dimer') with formula Al2Cl6. Aluminium bromide and aluminum iodide are similar in nature. However, aluminum fluoride is ionic. Why the difference in bonding? It all has to do with the difference in electronegativity of the elements:Al & F - difference of 2.37Al & Cl - difference of 1.55Al & Br - difference of 1.35Al & I - difference of 1.05Generally, if the difference in electronegativity is greater than 2.0 then the bond will be ionic. If less than 2.0, then the bond will be covalent.
The electronegativity difference between aluminum (Al) and bromine (Br) in AlBr3 is around 1.1. This indicates a polar covalent bond due to the significant electronegativity difference between the two elements.
Aluminum Chloride
The formula for aluminum chloride is AlCl3.
Under IUPAC naming conventions, AlCl3 is called aluminum chloride. It is also commonly called aluminum trichloride and aluminum (III) chloride.
The correct name for AlCl3 is aluminum chloride. This is a compound made from chlorine and aluminum. It is usually a white or yellow salt-like inorganic compound.
The formula for aluminum chloride is AlCl3. This formula indicates that each molecule of aluminum chloride contains one aluminum atom and three chlorine atoms.
Aluminum is more electronegative than sodium. The electronegativity of aluminum is 1.61. The electronegativity of sodium is 0.93.
Aluminum III chloride is not a valid chemical formula.
Covalent bonds are formed when the electronegativity difference between the two atoms is less than 1.7. Ionic bond is formed between two atoms having electronegativity difference of 1.7 or above. The electronegativity of hydrogen is 2.1 and that of chlorine is 3.0. So in HCl the electronegativity difference is 3.0-2.1=0.9 which is less than 1.7. Therefore they will form a covalent compound. Electronegativity of Sodium is 0.9 and that of chlorine is 3.0. So the electronegativity difference is 3.0-0.9=2.1 that is greater than 1.7 and will form an ionic bond and hence it will be an ionic bond.