TOPIC 3: CHEMICAL BONDING Flashcards
[Definition] Covalent Bond
Covalent bond is the electrostatic forces of attraction between the shared electrons and the positively charged nuclei
What particles form covalent bond?
Non-metals,
BUT can be between metal & non-metal also
e.g. AlCl₃
Which part of a molecule has the highest electron density?
The covalent bond (region between the two nuclei)
Sigma (σ) bond VS Pi (π) bond
Head-on overlap of an orbital of each atom VS
sideways overlap of a p orbital of each atom
1 region of electron density VS
2 regions of electron density
More effective overlap (stronger) VS
less effective overlap (weaker)
π bond can only form after σ bond is formed
Corresponding multiple bonding to σ & π bond
single bond: 1 σ bond
double bond: 1 σ bond + 1 π bond
triple bond: 1 σ bond + 2 π bonds
Strength of dative bond
Same strength as a normal covalent bond
3 main types of dative / co-ordinate bonding
- just donate electrons ONLY
* e.g. NH₃BF₃ - donate electrons, then break original bond
* e.g.NH₃ + HCl –> NH₄Cl - share & donate electrons
* e.g. CO
[Definition] Electronegativity
Electronegativity refers to the ability of an atom to attract the shared pair(s) of electrons in a covalent bond.
Trend of electronegativity
Across period: Increases
Down group: Decreases
6 Terms involving bond polarity
- Difference in electronegativity
- Permanent separation of partial charges,
- resulting in formation of dipoles (atoms with partial charge)
- Partial positive / negative charge
- Dipole moment (strength of dipole)
- Polar covalent bond formed
C and H generally considered to be non-polar
[Definition] Bond Energy
Bond energy is the amount of energy required to break one mole of covalent bonds in the gaseous state.
[Factor] Factors affecting covalent bond strength
In order of importance,
1. Bond order
* Bond order increase,
* number of bonding electrons within the inter-nuclei region increases,
* electrostatic forces of attraction for these electrons increases
2. Effectiveness of orbital overlap
* large orbitals are more diffuse,
* less effective orbital overlap,
* weaker bond strength
3. Bond polarity
* more polar the bond, the stronger the bond
Why is the bond energy of F-F lower than Cl-Cl when it should be higher?
F atom very small, so bond length very short.
Non-bonding electrons on the F atom being in very close proximity with those of the other F atom
Repulsion occurs, which weakens the covalent bond
[SOP] Drawing dot-and-cross diagrams for covalent bonds
- Least electronegative atom as central atom (except H)
- Form bonds to achieve noble gas electronic configuartion
- Pair up remaining valence electrons to form lone pairs
*For anion, add electron(s) to the more electronegative atom
*For cation, remove electron(s) from the less electronegative atom
Octet rule still applicable?
Yes, but only for period 2 elements
Elements from period 3 onwards can expand octet due to their vacant and energetically accessible d orbitals
What is covalency?
The number of bonds that a molecule can form
E.g. covalency of oxygen is 2, covalency of carbon is 4
But elements in groups 15-17 in the third and subsequent rows can display more than one covalency
E.g. covalency of phosphorus is 3 or 5, chlorine is 1, 3 or 5
Types of ‘special’ molecules
- Electron deficient molecules (usually grp 2 and 13)
* E.g. BeCl₂, BH₃, AlCl₃
* But can still achieve noble gas ec through forming dative bonds / forming dimer - Radicals (substances with unpaired valence electrons)
* E.g. NO, NO₂
* Central atom may have <8 electrons
* These substances are usually very reactive
* Can still achieve noble gas ec through forming dimer - Expansion of octet structures
* E.g. PCl₅, SO₄²⁻
* Elements from period 3 onwards have vacant and energetically accessible d orbitals to expand beyond octet structure - Dative Covalent Bonds
* NO₂, H₃O⁺
Principle 1 of VSEPR Theory
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
Electron pairs (both bond pairs and lone pairs) around a central atom are arranged as far apart as possible so as to minimise repulsion.
*For the purpose of VSEPR theory, single/double/triple bonds are assumed to occupy 1 region of electron density ONLY even though they may have multiple σ & π bonds
Principle 2 of VSEPR Theory
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
lp-lp repulsion > lp-bp repulsion > bp-bp repulsion
Shape & bond angle of 2 electron pairs
2 electron pairs = 2 electron densities in case of VSEPR
2 BP, 0 LP: Linear, 180°
Shape & bond angle of 3 electron pairs
3 electron pairs = 3 electron densities in case of VSEPR
3 BP, 0 LP: Trigonal planar, 120°
2BP, 1 LP: Bent, <120° (e.g. 119°)
Shape & bond angle of 4 electron pairs
4 electron pairs = 4 electron densities in case of VSEPR
4 BP, 0 LP: Tetrahedral, 109.5°
3 BP, 1 LP: Trigonal pyramidal, 107°
2 BP, 2 LP: Bent, 104.5°
Shape & bond angle of 5 electron pairs
5 electron pairs = 5 electron densities in case of VSEPR
5 BP, 0 LP: Trigonal bipyramidal, 120° (equatorial), 90° (axial)
4 BP, 1 LP: See-saw, <120° (equatorial), <90° (axial)
3 BP, 2 LP: T-shaped, <90°
2 BP, 3 LP: Linear, 180°
Shape and bond angle of 6 electron pairs
6 electron pairs = 6 electron densities in case of VSEPR
6 BP, 0 LP: Octahedral, 90° (equatorial & axial)
5 BP, 1 LP: Square pyramidal, <90° (equatorial & axial)
4 BP, 2 LP: Square planar, 90°