2.

1 The Formation of Ionic and

Covalent Bonds
Learning Goals …
… identify the intramolecular forces within a
compound as ionic, polar covalent or non-polar
covalent
… draw Lewis structures for ionic and covalent
compounds
… draw Lewis structures for polyatomic ions
 Lewis Theory of Bonding

Why do bonds form?

• atoms and ions are stable if they have a full valence shell
of electrons (stable octet)
• electrons are most stable when paired
• atoms form chemical bonds to achieve a full valence shell
• a full valence shell may be achieved by either
1. transferring electrons (ionic bonding) or
2. sharing electrons (covalent bonding)
The type of intramolecular force (force of attraction between
atoms within a molecule) can be determined by the difference
in electronegativity values (ΔEN)

If Δ EN > 1.7 then the bond is IONIC

If Δ EN < 1.7 and > 0.5 then the bond is POLAR COVALENT
If Δ EN < 0.5 then the bond is NON-POLAR COVALENT
electronegativity Δ EN intramolecular
force

a) KF K = 0.82 F = 3.98 3.16 ionic

b) HCl H = 2.10 Cl = 3.16 1.06 polar covalent

c) O2 O = 3.44 O = 3.44 0 non polar covalent

Ionic Bonds
• ΔEN > 1.7
• The valence electrons are transferred.
• ions are formed and held together by electrostatic attraction

These are Lewis dot This is a Lewis structure for

diagrams for each atom an ionic compound

A LEWIS STRUCTURE shows the arrangement of electrons and

bonds in a molecule or polyatomic ion
Polar Covalent Bonds
• ΔEN > 0.5 and < 1.7
• The valence electrons are shared unequally and partial
charges are formed (δ+, δ-)

This is a Lewis structure for

a covalent compound
Non-Polar Covalent Bonds:
• ΔEN < 0.5
• The valence electrons are shared equally
– no partial charges
 Rules for Drawing Lewis Structures
(*Covalent Compounds*)
1. The atom that has the highest bonding capacity usually goes in the
middle. Attach the other atoms in the compound (called “terminal”
atoms) to it with a single bond.
2. Add up the valence electrons of each individual atom in the
compound.
3. Subtract (from the total # of electrons) the number of electrons you’ve
distributed in bonds.
4. Next, place remaining electrons around the terminal atoms in order to
fill their valence shell.
5. Finally, place any left-over electrons on the central atom.
6. If the central atom is C, N, or O, and it does not have a full octet, take
an electron pair from the terminal atom and use the pair to make a
double bond.
Ex) Draw a Lewis Structure for H2CO.
Place
Add
If
Thethe remaining
up the
any
central
Subtract
atom (from
thatatomelectrons
valence
left-over
the
has does
total
the # around
electrons
electrons
not of
on
ofhave
highest athe
each
the
bonding terminal
individual
central
full
electrons) octet, atoms
atom
the atom.
take
number
capacity in order
anofelectron
usually goes into
inelectrons fillfrom
the compound.
pair theirdistributed
you’ve
the valence
the
middle. terminal
Attach in
the
shell.
atom
bonds.
other and
atomsuseinthe
thepair to make(called
compound a double bond. atoms) to it with a single bond.
“terminal”

2 H: 2(1e-) = 2e-
terminal atoms 1 C: 1(4e-) = 4e-
H 1 O: 1(6e-) = 6e-
Total = 12 e-
H C O
3 bonds = 6e-
central atom 12e- - 6e- = 6e- left
no e- left over

H H
lone e- pair
H C O H C O (non-bonding)
bonding e- pair
not a full octet
Draw a Lewis Structure for each of the following compounds.
Draw the structural formula for the compound showing any
charges (full or partial).

a) NCl3 Δ EN = 0.12 non-polar covalent – equal sharing

full octet 1 N: 1(5e-) = 5e-

3 Cl: 3(7e-) = 21e-
Total = 26 e-
Cl N Cl 20 e-
2 e-
Cl
 b) Na2O Δ EN = 2.51 ionic – transfer e-

+ 2-
Na O Na O
2
Na

c) CO2 Δ EN = 0.89 polar covalent – unequal sharing

δ- δ+ δ-
O C O O C O
1 C: 1(4e-) = 4e-
2 O: 2(6e-) = 12e- not a full octet
Total = 16e-
12 e-
0 e-
 Central Atoms With an Expanded Valence Energy Level
• larger atoms such as P, S, I, and Xe can accommodate extra
valence electrons due to their size

Ex ) IF5 Δ EN = 0.89 polar covalent

1 I: 1(7e-) = 7e- δ- δ-
5 F: 5(7e-) = 35e- F F
δ+ δ-
Total = 42e-
δ- I F
32 e- F
2 e- F δ-
0 e-

all remaining e- go on the central atom

Note that the iodine is overfilled with 12 e-.
This is an exception to the octet rule.
Polyatomic ions can be a bit more complicated.
must include overall charge
a) ClO3-
Δ EN = 0.28
non-polar covalent
-
O Cl O
3 O: 3(6e-) = 18e- O
1 Cl: 1(7e-) = 7e-
-1 charge = 1 e-
Total = 26 e-
20 remaining e-
2 remaining e-

All remaining electrons go on the central atom

b) NO3-
Δ EN = 0.40
non-polar covalent
-
3 O: 3(6e-) = 18e- O N O
1 N: 1(5e-) = 5e- O
-1 charge = 1 e-
Total = 24 e-

18 remaining e-
0 remaining e-

N needs 2 more e-, move lone pair from O into bonding

position between N and O
c) NO2-
Δ EN = 0.40
non-polar covalent

-
2 O: 2(6e-) = 12e- O N O
1 N: 1(5e-) = 5e-
-1 charge = 1 e-
Total = 18 e-

14 remaining e-
2 remaining e-
0 remaining e-
all remaining e- go on the central atom
N needs 2 more e-, move 2 e- from O to create a double bond
You try one…
IO2-
δ- δ+ δ-
Δ EN = 0.78 -
polar covalent O I O

2 O: 2(6e-) = 12e-
1 I: 1(7e-) = 7e-
-1 charge = 1 e-
Total = 20 e-

16 remaining e-
4 remaining e-
0 remaining e-

all remaining e- go on the central atom

Can I …
… identify compounds as ionic, polar covalent or non
polar covalent?
… draw Lewis structures for ionic and covalent
compounds?
… draw Lewis structures for polyatomic ions?

HOMEWORK
WS “Drawing Lewis Structures”