Chemical Bonds Flashcards
Quantum Mechanics
- particles = waves, ie. they can be described as a wave function
- wave functions of electrons in atoms can be described by PSI x,y,z
Electron Density
electron distribution in space for an orbital
Coulomb’s Law
- electrostatic potential energy
- closer an electron is to the nuclear the greater energy it has (greater attraction)
Aufbau Principle
electrons placed in orbitals starting with lowest energy and working up
Pauli Exclusion Principle
2 electrons per orbital with spins paired
Hunds Rule
when multiple orbitals of the same energy are available electrons are distributed amongst them
Molecular Orbitals
combining atomic orbitals to form molecular orbitals (sigma and pi)
bonding orbitals: wave functions together. high probability electron is between nucleus to give a favorable electrostatic attraction
- favorable coloumb interaction with both nuclei
anti bonding orbitals: wave functions opposite no electron density between nuclei, ie. energetically unfavorable
Bonding and Antibonding Orbitals
- bonding orbitals filled first
- when anti bonding orbitals are filled, the energy comes from putting electron in bonding orbital
- this cancels out gain in energy and determines whether two atoms will bond spontaneously
Hybridization
the idea that atomic orbitals fuse to form newly hybridised orbitals, which in turn, influences molecular geometry and bonding properties
- sigma: hybridized
- pi: unhybridized
repositioning of orbitals so the electrons are in optimal locations for being shared in covalent bond formation
Configuration
conversion between isomers needs a single bond to break
Enantiomers
Non superimposable mirror images of each other
Diastereoisomers
Not mirror images but are non superimposable
Glucose Polymers
Amylose vs Cellulose
- amylose has alpha linkages with bends and twists
- celulose has beta linkages and is flat with straight chains
Features Defining Molecular Shape and Structure
- bond length
- bond angles (VSEPR theory)
- bond rotation
Conformation
how atoms are joined, is fixed
molecules will adopt a configuration minimizing repulsion forces
- Eclipsed: same orientation of groups
- Staggered: opposite orientations of groups (preferred because of steric hindrance)