heteropolar bond
nounUK /ˌhɛtərəʊˈpəʊlə bɒnd/
US /ˌhɛtəroʊˈpoʊlər bɑnd/
A bond where two atoms share electrons unequally because one pulls harder than the other.
The heteropolar bond in hydrogen chloride makes the chlorine end slightly negative.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A chemical link between atoms of clearly different electronegativity, giving the molecule a dipole moment.
Water's heteropolar bonds give it a strong dipole.
3. Any bond in which electron density is unevenly shared between the two atoms.
The heteropolar bond explains why the molecule dissolves so well in water.
4. A bond with partial ionic character due to unequal electron sharing.
Chemists describe the heteropolar bond as sitting between pure covalent and ionic.