Which of the following electrons are involved in forming chemical bonds?

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and play a critical role in determining how an atom bonds with others. They reside in the highest energy level (or valence shell) and are primarily responsible for the formation of chemical bonds, which can include ionic and covalent bonds. The configuration of these electrons dictates how atoms interact, as they can be shared or transferred between atoms to achieve stability, typically following the octet rule.

Core electrons, which are the electrons in inner shells, do not participate in bonding as they are not accessible for interactions with other atoms. Inner electrons, a category that also suggests non-valence electrons, similarly do not engage in chemical bonding. While unpaired electrons play a significant role in certain bonding types, particularly in covalent bonds, it is specifically the valence electrons that encompass the entire range of bonding possibilities. Thus, the designation of valence electrons is central to understanding chemical bonding.