2.2.1

Covalent Bonds

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Covalent Bonding

Covalent bonding happens between non-metals.

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Covalent bonds

  • A covalent bond is one that contains a shared pair of valence electrons.
  • Usually, each atom gives one electron to the bond.
  • Covalent bonds are formed between two atoms when both have similar tendencies to attract electrons to themselves
    • For example, when both atoms have identical or fairly similar ionization energies and electron affinities.
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Properties

  • Molecules have covalent bonds holding the atoms together.
    • Covalent bonds are strong because the shared electrons are attracted to the nucleus of both atoms.
  • Because the attraction between molecules, which are electrically neutral, is weaker than that between electrically charged ions, covalent compounds generally have much lower melting and boiling points than ionic compounds.
  • In fact, many covalent compounds are liquids or gases at room temperature, and, in their solid states, they are typically much softer than ionic solids.
  • ost covalent compounds are insoluble in water; since they are electrically neutral, they are poor conductors of electricity in any state.
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Multiple bonding

  • Atoms can also form double (e.g. O2) or triple (e.g. N2) covalent bonds.
    • There are rare examples of quadruple, quintuple, and even sextuple bonds between some heavy metal compounds.
  • Multiple bonds contain shared pairs of electrons just like single bonds.
  • Multiple bonds are usually stronger than single bonds.

Coordinate Bonding

A coordinate bond is a special kind of covalent bond.

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Coordinate bonds

  • A coordinate bond is a covalent bond in which both electrons in the bond come from one atom.
    • Coordinate bonds are sometimes called dative bonds.
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E.g. Ammonium ion

  • Ammonium ions are made of an ammonia molecule that has attached to a hydrogen ion with its lone pair.
  • Both electrons for the coordinate bond come from the nitrogen atom.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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