Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) exhibits two main types of bonding: ionic bonding and covalent bonding.
Ionic Bonding: In ammonium chloride, the compound is formed from ammonium ions (NH4+) and chloride ions (Cl–). The interaction between these oppositely charged ions results in ionic bonding. The ammonium ion is positively charged, while the chloride ion carries a negative charge. This electrostatic attraction leads to the formation of a crystalline structure typical of ionic compounds.
Covalent Bonding: Within the ammonium ion itself, there are covalent bonds between the nitrogen atom and the four hydrogen atoms. In this case, each of the nitrogen-hydrogen bonds involves the sharing of electron pairs between the nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. This sharing of electrons is what characterizes covalent bonds.
In summary, ammonium chloride contains ionic bonds between NH4+ and Cl– ions, along with covalent bonds present within the ammonium ion itself.