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SECTION 4
CHEMICAL BONDS
Chemical bonds : The forces holding atoms together in matter.
In most matter atoms exist close together in aggregates. The inner electrons are held tightly by the nucleus, (i.e. they have very high ionisation energies), but the valence electrons can be attracted to the nuclei of two or more atoms simultaneously. It is this electrostatic attraction of the valence electrons to two or more nuclei that provides the forces which hold atoms together and is the basis of the chemical bond.
Covalent bond : A pair of electrons shared between two atoms (nuclei) in a molecule or polyatomic ion.
Single bond : One pair of shared bonding electrons; represented by a line [e.g. H-H in H2].
Double bond : Two pairs of shared bonding electrons; represented by a double line [e.g. O=C=O in CO2].
Triple bond : Three pairs of shared bonding electrons; represented by a triple line [e.g. N≡N in N2].
The chemical behaviour of different elements can be understood by considering the number and arrangement of valence electrons in their atoms.
With the exception of metals, almost all atoms in stable substances have 2 (H, He), 8, 18, or an even number between 8 or 18 electrons in their outermost shell. (High temperatures and low pressures change this.) An octet (8) of electrons in the third shell (which can accommodate 18) is common.
Now we can understand the formulae and properties of some simple compounds that we have met in previous sections.
Methane, CH4. The carbon nucleus (atom) is surrounded by four hydrogen nuclei. Number of
valence electrons = 4(C) + 4 x 1(H) = 8. These 8 are in four pairs around C and each H has
one pair. We represent methane by the Lewis structure
H C H
H
H
In most matter atoms exist close together in aggregates. The inner electrons are held tightly by the nucleus, (i.e. they have very high ionisation energies), but the valence electrons can be attracted to the nuclei of two or more atoms simultaneously. It is this electrostatic attraction of the valence electrons to two or more nuclei that provides the forces which hold atoms together and is the basis of the chemical bond. This section defines different classes of bonds and the language of depicting them on paper.
Lewis structure : A chemical formula (diagram) which shows the arrangement of the atoms and valence electrons in the species.
Water, H2O. The oxygen nucleus has two H nuclei attached. Again there are 8 valence
electrons, 6(O) + 2 x 1 (H). Lewis structure:
O
H H
O
H H
The two pairs of dots represent the two non-bonding electron pairs in the valence shell of the O atom. However, these are not always shown as their existence can be inferred. The inner shell electrons which we can consider belonging exclusively to the one nucleus are never shown in Lewis structures.
Dinitrogen, N2. 10 valence electron, 2 x 5 (N). The Lewis structure: :N≡N: Each N nucleus is
surrounded by 8 valence electrons, 3 pairs of electrons being attracted simultaneously to two N nuclei. Dinitrogen contains a triple bond.
Carbon dioxide, CO2, and silicon dioxide, SiO2. In CO2 and an SiO2 unit there are 16
valence electrons 4 (C) or (Si) + 2 x 6 (O). Carbon dioxide exists as discrete CO2 molecules.
We can rationalise this by the Lewis structure O=C=O where each atom has 8 valence electrons and the molecule has two double bonds. Silicon dioxide (quartz) is a solid. We can rationalise this by writing the Lewis structure for a small part of the compound:
O Si
O
O
O
Si
Si
Si O
O
O
Si
Si
Si
O
O
O
Si
Si
O
Again each atom is surrounded (tetrahedrally) by 8 valence electrons, each Si with 4 bonding pairs, and each O with two single bonds and two non-bonding electron pairs.
CO2 and SiO2 have different structures. The explanation for this is beyond the scope of this
document. The existence of discrete molecules of CO2 implies the energy of CO2 in this
form is lower than that of a polymeric structure.
Sodium chloride, NaCl, is an ionic solid composed of Na +^ ions surrounded by Cl –^ ions and vice-versa. Each Na +^ and Cl –^ ion has eight electrons in its outermost shell. (The valence electrons are all located on the Cl –^ ion.) Ionic bonds hold the structure together.
Ionic bonds : The electrostatic attraction between cations and anions. The bonding electrons are localised on the anions.
EXERCISES
Show the polarity of the following bonds:
- Example : C-Cl
Answer : (δ+)C-Cl(δ-) Chlorine more electronegative than carbon
- C-O 3. Si-F 4. Cl-P 5. H-C 6. H-N
State whether the following molecules are polar and if so show the polarity:
- Hydrogen fluoride, HF 8. Boron trifluoride, BF3, a planar triangular molecule
- Carbon dioxide, CO2, a linear molecule 10. Sulfur dioxide, SO2, a bent molecule
- Ammonia, NH3, a pyramidal molecule
- Methane, CH4, the carbon atom is tetrahedrally surrounded by the 4 hydrogens
