[maccha]

Okay so my chem prof explained that NH4+ always exists as an ion and therefore forms an ionic bond with Cl-. Okay. But then wouldn't HCN be ionic as well because there is are H+ and CN- ions?

If you consider electronegativites between each bond, I can understand that HCN would be made up of covalent bonds. But with the same logic, wouldn't NH4Cl be made up of covalent bonds also?

I feel like both methods contradict each other. If someone could clarify that would be great.

[Dan]

Draw a basic dot-and-cross diagram for the ammonium ion. Looking at your diagram, is there any atom you could bond the chloride to covalently?