Arsenic Tribromide Ionic Or Covalent

Arsenic tribromide (AsBr3) is a covalent compound. In this compound, the arsenic atom shares three electrons with three bromine atoms through a covalent bond.

Covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms to achieve a stable electron configuration. This type of bonding usually occurs between non-metallic atoms or between atoms with similar electronegativity values, as they tend to have similar tendencies to attract electrons.

On the other hand, ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions that are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction. Ionic compounds generally form between metals and non-metals or between elements with a large difference in electronegativity values.

In the case of arsenic tribromide, both arsenic and bromine are non-metals with relatively similar electronegativity values, which makes the covalent bonding more favorable than the formation of an ionic compound.

In conclusion, arsenic tribromide is a covalent compound due to the sharing of electrons between the arsenic and bromine atoms.