For example, carbon has 4 electrons in the outer shell and so its half full. Does it want to give electrons in a bond or take electrons, and if any atom has a half full electron shell does it want to take or give electrons for a covalent bond? I'm new to chemistry so this question may be simple.
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When it comes to elements like carbon and silicon, which have 4 valence shells, the maximum possibility is sharing of electrons to form covalent bonds, like in $\ce{CO2}$ or $\ce{CH4}$. However in carbides, like calcium carbide or tungsten carbide, it may gain electrons.
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$\begingroup$ Thanks also If an atom like Boron has only 3 electrons in the outer shells, will it give up its electrons for a bond? and vice versa for nitrogen where it would take electrons for a bond? $\endgroup$– PhysixCommented Jan 23, 2016 at 16:24
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$\begingroup$ Atoms with 1,2,3 electrons lose electrons to form cations(positively charged) while atoms with 5,6,7 electrons gain electrons to form anions(negatively charged) (or share as discussed) So boron will give 3 electrons and Nitrogen will accept electrons...So yeah u're right $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 23, 2016 at 16:27
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5$\begingroup$ Except when they don't. There are a whole range of cations with positive charges on nitrogen whereas boron cations are quite rare. Much more common are electron deficient covalent boron compounds. $\endgroup$– bonCommented Jan 23, 2016 at 16:29
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$\begingroup$ Boron cations are rare due to much less electropositivity( refer to periodic trends in the 2nd period of the periodic table) And when it comes to positive charge, are you referring to ionization due to polarity? $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 23, 2016 at 16:33
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$\begingroup$ Boron forms anions, but as clusters or macromolecular structures rather than single atoms. See here. $\endgroup$ Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 18:23