Covalent bonding

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 Covalent bonding
1.demonstrate an understanding that covalent
bonding is strong and arises from the
electrostatic attraction between the nucleus
and the electrons which are between the
nuclei, based on the evidence:
i the physical properties of giant atomic
structures
ii electron density maps for simple molecules
 Covalent bonding

2.draw electron configuration diagrams for

simple covalently bonded molecules,
including those with multiple bonds and dative
covalent bonds, using dots or crosses to
represent electrons.
 Chemical Bonds
A compound is a substance where two, or more atoms of elements
are joined together by a chemical bond.

A chemical bond involves either the transfer or the sharing of the

electrons in the highest occupied energy levels of an atom.

There are two types of chemical bonds:

 Ionic Bonds where electrons are transferred completely
 Covalent Bonds where electrons are shared.

There are two types of covalent substances, i.e. Simple Covalent

Molecules and Giant Covalent Structures.
 Simple Covalent Molecules
Particles of simple covalent compounds are known as molecules.

Simple covalent compounds usually have a low melting point,

and are therefore soft solids, liquids or gases.

Sugars are typical examples... Sucrose

(m.p. 185 ºC)

Glucose Fructose
(ball and stick model) (found in fruit)

The gaseous elements hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and chlorine

are also simple covalent, diatomic molecules.
 Giant Covalent Structures
Giant covalent substances have strong bonds and associated high
melting and boiling points. They are also insoluble in water.

Diamond
Diamond and graphite are typical examples... (m.p. 3,547 ºC)

Graphite
 Giant Covalent Structures
Silica is a compound of
silicon and oxygen and is
better known as sand.
Silica has a giant covalent structure
and a melting point of 1,723 ºC.
Sand is insoluble in water, relatively hard,
and is widely used as an abrasive
or to make glass.
 How Covalent Bonds Form

This diagram shows the electronic configuration of hydrogen,

and the non-metallic elements in the first short period of the
Periodic Table.

In order to gain a full outer shell of electrons, atoms of some

elements can share electrons with other atoms. This makes the
atoms more stable.
 How Covalent Bonds Form

The process of sharing electrons is known as covalent bonding.

In order to achieve a full outer shell...
Hydrogen atoms each need one electron;
Carbon atoms each need four electrons;
Nitrogen atoms each need three electrons;
Oxygen atoms each need two electrons;
Fluorine atoms each need one electron;
Neon atoms already have a full outer electron shell.
 How Covalent Bonds Form

Atoms of certain elements can covalently bond with other atoms

of the same or different elements.

The only atom shown which has a full outer shell of electrons, is
that of neon. This is why neon, and the other inert gases, do not
readily form compounds.
 Electronic Structure and Compounds
F 2,7 Elements which are in the same
9 group of the Periodic Table,
have the same number of
electrons in their outer electron
level.
Cl
17
2,8,7
As a result of this, they form
compounds with similar
formulas

Br
35
2,8,18,7 F2 HF

Cl2 HCl

Br2 HBr
53
I 2,8,18,18,7
I2 HI
Chlorine Molecule (Cl2)
 Chlorine Molecule (Cl2)
Chlorine atoms form simple molecules (diatomic) by sharing single
electrons.
 Chlorine Molecule (Cl2)
Chlorine atoms form simple molecules (diatomic) by sharing single
electrons.

Each chlorine atom has one space in its outer shell, and can
share this with another atom, which also donates one electron to
the bond.

The sharing of one pair of electrons constitutes a single covalent

bond.
 Chlorine Molecule (Cl2)

The diagram shows the chlorine atoms sharing two electrons

in total, forming a single covalent bond.
As a result of this sharing, both atoms effectively have a full
outer shell of electrons.
A chlorine molecule, Cl2 is the result.
The Methane Molecule (CH4)
 The Methane Molecule (CH4)
Both carbon and hydrogen
atoms have an incomplete
outer shell.

One carbon atom shares four electrons

with the hydrogen atoms.
Each hydrogen atom shares one
electron with the carbon atom.
The sharing of a pair of electrons
constitutes a single covalent bond.
Therefore, four covalent bonds are
formed.
N.B. Hydrogen is drawn larger for clarity on this and subsequent slides.
 The Methane Molecule (CH4)

As a result of this sharing of electrons, each of the five atoms

effectively has a full outer shell of electrons.
A methane molecule, CH4 is the result.
 The Methane Molecule (CH4)
Start the animation to see how the four covalent bonds form...

H
H C H
H
 Multiple Covalent Bonds

In all the examples shown so

far, the covalent bonds formed
are single bonds, formed when
one pair of electrons is shared
between two atoms.

The following examples show

how double and triple
covalent bonds can be formed
between atoms.

There are no known examples

of quadruple covalent bonds.
The Oxygen Molecule, O2
 Double Bonds in an Oxygen Molecule
Oxygen atoms form simple molecules (diatomic) by sharing single
electrons.
 Double Bonds in an Oxygen Molecule
Oxygen atoms form simple molecules (diatomic) by sharing single
electrons.

Each oxygen atom has two spaces in its outer shell, and can
share these with the other oxygen atom, which also donates two
electrons to the bond.
The sharing of two pairs of electrons constitutes a double
covalent bond.
 Double Bonds in an Oxygen Molecule

The diagram shows the oxygen atoms sharing four electrons

in total, forming a double covalent bond.
As a result of this sharing, both atoms effectively have a full
outer shell of electrons.
An oxygen molecule, O2 is the result.
The Nitrogen Molecule, N2
 Triple Bonds in a Nitrogen Molecule
Nitrogen atoms form simple molecules (diatomic) by sharing single
electrons.
 Triple Bonds in a Nitrogen Molecule
Nitrogen atoms form simple molecules (diatomic) by sharing single
electrons.

Each nitrogen atom has three spaces in its outer shell, and can
share these with the other nitrogen atom, which also donates
three electrons to the bond.
The sharing of three pairs of electrons constitutes a triple
covalent bond.
 Triple Bonds in a Nitrogen Molecule

The diagram shows that the nitrogen atoms can share six
electrons in total, forming a triple covalent bond.
As a result of this sharing, both atoms effectively have a full
outer shell of electrons.
A nitrogen molecule, N2 is the result.
This bond is one of the strongest covalent bonds in nature.
Electron density of a hydrogen atom
Electron density of a fluorine molecule
Electron density of a hydrogen molecule
Electron density of a hydrogen fluoride molecule