COVALENT COMPOUNDS

PROPERITES
Covalent compounds may exist as gases, liquids or solids at room temperature.
Compared to ionic compounds, covalent compounds typically have lower melting points (solid
to liquid) and boiling points (liquid to gas). This is because the intermolecular forces (the forces
of attraction and repulsion between molecules) within covalent compounds are generally
weaker than ionic bonds, and therefore take less energy to break.
Unlike ionic compounds, covalent compounds do not form ions when dissolved in water.
Covalent compounds (in any state) generally do not conduct electricity, and if they do it will be
weak.

Covalent compounds are generally formed between non-metals.

A binary covalent compound is formed between two non-metals.

Electrons are shared in covalent compounds so that all atoms

involved result with a full valence shell.
Most covalently bonded atoms will result in 8 electrons in their
valence shell (a full octet).
Exceptions to this rule are: hydrogen (full valence of 2), boron (full valence of 6).
Some atoms may also exceed the octet rule: sulphur (may exceed normal valence to reach 12),
phosphorus (may exceed normal valence to reach 10).
Noble gases typically do not participate in the formation of compounds, as they already have a
full valence shell, although there are some exceptions (XeF8).

When two electrons are shared (one pair), a single bond is formed between the atoms involved.
When four electrons are shared (two pairs), a double bond is formed between the atoms
involved.
When six electrons are shared (three pairs), a triple bond is formed between the atoms
involved.
Electrons are able to move around within the compound, which means they may move to
surround an atom different from the atom they started with.

NAMING
Prefixes are used when naming (binary) covalent compounds because often, there is more than
one possible combination of atoms.
carbon dioxide _________________

boron trichloride _______________

sulphur hexafluoride ___________

NO2 __________________________

CCl4 __________________________
DRAWING

Using Lewis Dot Diagrams to draw (modified) structural formulas showing all electrons (lone
pairs)
1) All elements involved must result in a full valence shell
2) Use single lines ( ) to represent the sharing of two electrons to form a bond.
3) Double or triple bonds may be required to meet the full octet requirement.
4) Make sure that ALL electrons are shown.
5) Your ‘electron tally’ must be met exactly. An overall negative charge indicates and excess of
electrons, and a positive charge indicates a loss of electrons.
6) Polyatomic ions need to be drawn with square brackets surrounding the structure and charge
indicated.

1. hydrogen gas (H2)

electron tally

H: 2 x 1ve = 2 ve

2. carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)

electron tally

C:

Cl:

3. carbon dioxide (CO2)

electron tally

C:

O:
4. nitrogen gas (N2)

electron tally

N:

5. sulphate ion (SO42-)

electron tally

S:

O:

6. boron trihydride

7. H2O
8. H3O+

9. SO32-

10. SCl6

11. OF2

12. PBr5

13. NO3-