Covalent Bonding

Covalent Bonding
When atoms interact, the goal is to achieve a stable octet. When two nonmetals react together, they share their valence electrons to achieve a full valence shell. The bond that forms as a result of sharing electrons is called a covalent bond. Two or more atoms that are joined by covalent bonds is called a molecule.

A shared pair of electrons (2 electrons) forms a single covalent bond. Some molecules contain double (2 pairs of shared electrons) or triple (3 pairs of shared electrons) covalent bonds.

Molecules can be shown using Lewis structures . The shared electrons in a Lewis structure is shown as a dash, and the electrons not involved in bonding are shown as lone pairs. READ the sample problems on pg.36 - 39. COMPLETE the Practice Problems #1-4 on page 39

Electronegativity
Electronegativity is a measure of an atoms ability to attract a shared pair of electrons within a covalent bond. In general, metals have lower electronegativities than nonmetals. Electronegativity decreases as you go down a group because the atomic radii increases (more energy shells) And Electronegativity increases as you go across the periodic table because the atomic radii decreases (more protons in the nucleus)

Polar and Nonpolar Covalent Bonds

If an electron pair is shared equally , the difference in electronegativity is between 0 - 0.4, then the bond is a nonpolar covalent bond. Ex. H-C EN of C = 2.5 and EN of H = 2.1 Therefore, EN = 2.5 - 2.1 = 0.4 If an electron pair is not shared equally , the difference in electronegativity is between 0.5 - 1.7, then the bond is a polar covalent bond . Ex. C-O EN of C = 2.5 and EN of O = 3.5 Therefore, EN = 3.5 - 2.5 = 1.0

Higher Lower electronegativity electronegativity

Slightly negative Slightly positive

Polar and Nonpolar Molecules

Polar molecules are molecules that have a positively charged end and a negatively charged end . Nonpolar molecules do not have charged ends. The polarity of a molecule depends upon: 1. The presence of polar bonds 2. The overall 3-D shape

There are five basic shapes used to determine if a molecule is polar or nonpolar. They are:

Linear; symmetrical shape so forms a nonpolar compound if both atoms are the same regardless of the EN

Tetrahedral; symmetrical shape so forms a nonpolar compound if all four peripheral atoms are the same

Trigonal Planar; symmetrical shape so forms a nonpolar compound if all three peripheral atoms are the same

Trigonal Pyramidal ; asymmetrical shape so will form a polar compound if the EN is 0.5 or above

Bent or V-shaped ; asymmetrical shape so will form a polar compound if there are polar covalent bonds.

If the central atom was C, and the peripheral atoms were F - would this be a polar molecule? No it is a nonpolar molecule. even though the EN is 1.5 which are polar bonds, it is a symmetrical shape. Is ammonia, NH 3 a polar or nonpolar compound? Because of its shape, and the presence of polar bonds, ammonia is a polar molecule.

Intermolecular Bonds
Covalent and ionic bonds are strong bonds that hold the atoms of a molecule together. These are known as intramolecular bonds. Molecules are attracted to other molecules by weak forces of attraction called intermolecular bonds. There are three types of intermolecular forces: 1. London Dispersion forces (LDF) 2. Dipole-Dipole forces (DDF) 3. Hydrogen Bonding (HB)

London Dispersion Forces

Results from a temporary imbalance in the position of an atoms electrons, leaving one side of the molecule slightly ve charged and one side of the molecule slightly +ve charged. The negatively charged end of one molecule is attracted to the positively charged end of another molecule. This force occurs in all molecules and only occurs for a fraction of a second at a time. It is the weakest of the three types of intermolecular forces.

Dipole-Dipole Force
Forms between the slightly positive end of one polar molecule and the slightly negative end of a neighbouring polar molecule.

Hydrogen Bonding
Hydrogen bonding is a special type of dipole-dipole bonding that occurs when H is bonded to N, O or F. It is about 10x stronger than DDF. H-bonding accounts for waters special properties.