Binding electron

Binding electrons are the electrons that are involved in a covalent bond . In contrast, electrons in the outer shell of an atom that are not involved in such a bond are called free electrons.

Example:

The nitrogen - atom in ammonia - molecule (NH ₃ ) forms three electron pair bonds to hydrogen from -atoms. There are six binding electrons in three covalent bonds (electron pair bonds). A pair of electrons in the nitrogen atom is not involved. It is called a non-bonding electron pair .

Only valence electrons can be binding electrons.

See also

• Heterolytic cleavage
• Homolytic cleavage
• Chemical bond