What is the function of valence electrons in chemical bonding?

Valence electrons play a critical role in chemical bonding, primarily by forming chemical bonds through sharing or transferring between atoms. In atoms, the outermost electrons, known as valence electrons, are the ones that interact during chemical reactions to form bonds such as covalent or ionic bonds.

When two atoms approach each other, their valence electrons can be shared, as seen in covalent bonding, or one atom may donate its valence electrons to another, resulting in ionic bonding. This exchange or sharing of electrons enables atoms to achieve a more stable electron configuration, often resembling that of noble gases.

The other options do touch upon aspects related to valence electrons but do not directly reflect their primary function in bonding. While valence electrons do influence the stability of the atom and the atom's chemical properties, their key role in determining the nature of chemical bonds through electron interaction is what makes option D the most accurate representation of their function in bonding.