Chapter 5
Chemical Bonding:
The Covalent Bond
Model
Chapter 5
Table of Contents
5.1 The Covalent Bond Model
5.2 Lewis Structures for Molecular Compounds
5.3 Single, Double, and Triple Covalent Bonds
5.4 Valence Electrons and Number of Covalent Bonds
Formed
5.5 Coordinate Covalent Bonds
5.6 Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
5.7 Bonding in Compounds with Polyatomic Ions Present
5.8 Molecular Geometry
5.9 Electronegativity
5.10 Bond Polarity
5.11 Molecular Polarity
5.12 Naming Binary Molecular Compounds
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Section 5.1
The Covalent Bond Model
Key Differences Between Ionic and Covalent Bonding
1. Ionic bonds form between a metal and
nonmetal. Covalent bonds usually form between
nonmetals.
2. Ionic bonds involve electron transfer. Covalent
bonds involve electron sharing.
3. Ionic compounds do not contain discrete
molecules. Covalent compounds has a molecule
as its basic structural unit.
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Section 5.1
The Covalent Bond Model
Key Differences Between Ionic and Covalent Bonding
4. All ionic compounds are solids at room
temperature. Covalent compounds are varied.
5. Soluble ionic solids form aqueous solutions that
conduct electricity. Soluble covalent compounds
usually produce a nonconducting aqueous
solution.
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Section 5.1
The Covalent Bond Model
Covalent Bond
• A chemical bond resulting from two nuclei
attracting the same shared electrons.
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Section 5.1
The Covalent Bond Model
A Hydrogen Molecule
• Electron sharing can occur only when electron
orbitals from two different atoms overlap.
• Produces increased stability.
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Section 5.1
The Covalent Bond Model
Lewis Notation
• The two shared electrons do double duty,
helping each hydrogen atom achieve a helium
noble-gas configuration.
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Section 5.2
Lewis Structures for Molecular Compounds
Bonding Electrons
• Pairs of valence electrons that are shared
between atoms in a covalent bond.
• Represent the shared electron pairs with
dashes.
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Section 5.2
Lewis Structures for Molecular Compounds
Nonbonding Electrons
• Pairs of valence electrons on an atom that are
not involved in electron sharing.
• Also referred to as unshared electron pairs, lone
electron pairs, or lone pairs.
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Section 5.3
Single, Double, and Triple Covalent Bonds
Single Covalent Bond
• A covalent bond in which two atoms share one
pair of electrons.
H–H
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Section 5.3
Single, Double, and Triple Covalent Bonds
Double Covalent Bond
• A covalent bond in which two atoms share two
pairs of electrons.
O=C=O
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Section 5.3
Single, Double, and Triple Covalent Bonds
Triple Covalent Bond
• A covalent bond in which two atoms share three
pairs of electrons.
NN
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Section 5.4
Valence Electrons and Number of Covalent Bonds Formed
• There is a strong tendency for atoms of
nonmetallic elements to form a specific number
of covalent bonds.
• The number of bonds formed is equal to the
number of electrons the nonmetallic atom must
share to obtain an octet of electrons.
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Section 5.4
Valence Electrons and Number of Covalent Bonds Formed
Oxygen (6 Valence Electrons, 2 Octet Vacancies)
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Section 5.4
Valence Electrons and Number of Covalent Bonds Formed
Nitrogen (5 Valence Electrons, 3 Octet Vacancies)
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Section 5.4
Valence Electrons and Number of Covalent Bonds Formed
Carbon (4 Valence Electrons, 4 Octet Vacancies)
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Section 5.5
Coordinate Covalent Bonds
• A covalent bond in which both electrons of a
shared pair come from one of the two atoms
involved in the bond.
• Enables an atom that has two or more vacancies
in its valence shell to share a pair of nonbonding
electrons that are located on another atom.
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Section 5.5
Coordinate Covalent Bonds
Comparison of HOCl and HClO2
• In HOCl, all the bonds are “ordinary” covalent
bonds.
• In HClO2, the “new” chlorine-oxygen bond is a
coordinate covalent bond.
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Section 5.5
Coordinate Covalent Bonds
Formation of a “Regular” Covalent Bond vs a Coordinate Covalent
Bond
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Section 5.5
Coordinate Covalent Bonds
• Atoms participating in coordinate covalent bonds
generally do not form their normal number of
covalent bonds.
• Once a coordinate covalent bond forms, it is
indistinguishable from other covalent bonds in a
molecule.
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Section 5.6
Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
Steps for Writing Lewis Structures
1. Calculate the total number of valence electrons
available in the molecule by adding together the
valence electron counts for all atoms in the
molecule. (Use the periodic table.)
Example: H2O
2 (1 e–) + 6 e– = 8 e– total
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Section 5.6
Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
Steps for Writing Lewis Structures
2. Write the chemical symbols of the atoms in the
molecule in the order in which they are bonded
to one another, and then place a single covalent
bond, involving two electrons, between each pair
of bonded atoms.
Determine central atom – usually atom that
appears only once in the formula.
Example: H2O
H O H
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Section 5.6
Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
Steps for Writing Lewis Structures
3. Add nonbonding electron pairs to the structure
such that each atom bonded to the central atom
has an octet of electrons. Remember that for
hydrogen, an “octet” is only 2 electrons.
Examples: H2O and PBr3
Br
H O H
Br P Br
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Section 5.6
Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
Steps for Writing Lewis Structures
4. Place any remaining electrons on the central
atom of the structure.
Example: PBr3 = 26 valence e–
Br
Br P Br
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Section 5.6
Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
Steps for Writing Lewis Structures
5. If there are not enough electrons to give the
central atom an octet, then use one or more
pairs of nonbonding electrons on the atoms
bonded to the central atom to form double or
triple bonds.
Example: HCN
H C N
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Section 5.6
Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
Steps for Writing Lewis Structures
6. Count the total number of electrons in the
completed Lewis structure to make sure it is
equal to the total number of valence electrons
available for bonding, as calculated in Step 1.
(Serves as a double-check.)
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Section 5.6
Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
Concept Check
Draw a Lewis structure for each of the
following molecules:
H2 H H
F2 F F
HF
H F
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Section 5.6
Systematic Procedures for Drawing Lewis Structures
Concept Check
Draw a Lewis structure for each of the
following molecules:
NH3 H Cl
CO2 H N H Cl C Cl
CCl4
O C O Cl
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Section 5.7
Bonding in Compounds with Polyatomic Ions Present
Ionic Compounds Containing Polyatomic Ions
• Covalent bonding exists within the polyatomic
ion and ionic bonding exists between it and ions
of opposite charge.
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Section 5.7
Bonding in Compounds with Polyatomic Ions Present
Lewis Structure of Potassium Sulfate
• Polyatomic ion charge is not localized on a
particular atom but rather is associated with the
ion as a whole.
• It is customary to use brackets and show ionic
charge outside the brackets.
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
• A description of the three-dimensional
arrangement of atoms within a molecule.
• An important factor in determining the physical
and chemical properties of a substance.
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
VSEPR Theory
• VSEPR: Valence Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion.
• A set of procedures for predicting the molecular
geometry of a molecule using the information
contained in the molecule’s Lewis structure.
• The structure around a given atom is determined
principally by minimizing electron pair
repulsions.
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
VSEPR Electron Group
• A collection of valence electrons present in a
localized region about the central atom in a
molecule.
• The four electrons in a double bond or the six
electrons in a triple bond are localized in the
region between two bonded atoms in a manner
similar to the two electrons of a single bond.
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
Steps to Apply the VSEPR Model
1. Draw the a Lewis structure for the molecule and
identify the specific atom for which geometrical
information is desired (usually central atom).
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
Steps to Apply the VSEPR Model
2. Determine the number of VSEPR electron
groups present about the central atom.
a. No distinction is made between bonding and
nonbonding electron groups. Both are
counted.
b. Single, double, and triple bonds are all
counted equally as “one electron group”
because each takes up only one region of
space about a central atom.
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
Steps to Apply the VSEPR Model
3. Predict the VSEPR electron group arrangement
about the atom by assuming that the electron
groups orient themselves in a manner that
minimizes repulsions.
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
VSEPR: Two Electron Pairs
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
VSEPR: Two Electron Groups
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
VSEPR: Three Electron Pairs
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
VSEPR: Three Electron Groups
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
VSEPR: Four Electron Pairs
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
VSEPR: Four Electron Groups
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
Molecules with More Than One Central Atom
• The molecular shape of molecules that contain
more than one central atom can be obtained by
considering each central atom separately and
then combining the results.
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Section 5.8
Molecular Geometry
Concept Check
Determine the shape for each of the following
molecules, and include bond angles:
HCN
PH3
O3
HCN – linear, 180o
PH3 – trigonal pyramid, 107o
O3 – bent, 120o
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Section 5.9
Electronegativity
• The ability of an atom in a molecule to attract
shared electrons to itself.
• A measure of the relative attraction that an atom
has for the shared electrons in a bond.
• On the periodic table, electronegativity generally
increases across a period and decreases down
a group.
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Section 5.9
Electronegativity
Pauling Electronegativity Values
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Section 5.9
Electronegativity
Concept Check
What is the general trend for electronegativity
across rows and down columns on the periodic
table?
Explain the trend.
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Section 5.9
Electronegativity
Concept Check
If lithium and fluorine react, which has more
attraction for an electron? Why?
In a bond between fluorine and iodine, which has
more attraction for an electron? Why?
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Section 5.10
Bond Polarity
Nonpolar Covalent Bond
• A covalent bond in which there is equal sharing
of electrons between two atoms.
H2, N2
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Section 5.10
Bond Polarity
Polar Covalent Bond
• A covalent bond in which there is unequal
sharing of electrons between two atoms.
HCl, CO
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Section 5.10
Bond Polarity
Polar Covalent Bond
• It creates fractional positive and negative
charges on atoms.
• Electrons spend more time near the more
electronegative atom of the bond and less time
near the less electronegative atom of the bond.
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Section 5.10
Bond Polarity
Bond Polarity
• A measure of the degree of inequality in the
sharing of electrons between two atoms in a
chemical bond.
• The greater the electronegativity difference
between the two bonded atoms, the greater the
polarity of the bond.
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Section 5.10
Bond Polarity
Bond Polarity
Bond Type Electronegativity Difference
Nonpolar Covalent 0.4 or less
Polar Covalent Greater than 0.4 to 1.5
Between 1.5 and 2.0
Polar Covalent
(between nonmetals)
Between 1.5 and 2.0
Ionic
(metal and nonmetal)
Ionic Greater than 2.0
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Section 5.10
Bond Polarity
Exercise
Arrange the following bonds from most to least
polar:
a) N-F O-F C-F
b) C-F N-O Si-F
c) Cl-Cl B-Cl S-Cl
a) C-F, N-F, O-F
b) Si-F, C-F, N-O
c) B-Cl, S-Cl, Cl-Cl Return to TOC
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Section 5.10
Bond Polarity
Concept Check
Which of the following bonds would be the
least polar yet still be considered polar
covalent?
Mg-O C-O O-O Si-O N-O
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Section 5.10
Bond Polarity
Concept Check
Which of the following bonds would be the
most polar without being considered ionic?
Mg-O C-O O-O Si-O N-O
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Section 5.11
Molecular Polarity
• A measure of the degree of inequality in the
attraction of bonding electrons to various
locations within a molecule.
• Polar molecule – a molecule in which there is an
unsymmetrical distribution of electron charge.
• Nonpolar molecule – a molecule in which there
is a symmetrical distribution of electron charge.
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Section 5.11
Molecular Polarity
Polar Molecules: H2O and HCN
• For H2O, the bond polarities associated with the
two hydrogen-oxygen bonds do not cancel one
another because of the nonlinearity of the
molecule.
• For HCN, nitrogen is more electronegative than
hydrogen.
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Section 5.11
Molecular Polarity
Nonpolar Molecule: CO2
• The effects of the two polar bonds are canceled
as a result of the oxygen atoms being arranged
symmetrically around the carbon atom.
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Section 5.11
Molecular Polarity
Concept Check
True or false:
A molecule that has polar bonds will always be
polar.
– If true, explain why.
– If false, provide a counter-example.
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Section 5.11
Molecular Polarity
Let’s Think About It
• Draw the Lewis structure for SiO2.
• Does SiO2 contain polar bonds?
• Is the molecule polar or nonpolar overall? Why?
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Section 5.11
Molecular Polarity
Concept Check
Which of the following molecules are polar?
F2
HF
NH3
SO2
CCl4
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Section 5.12
Naming Binary Molecular Compounds
Binary Molecular Compound
• A molecular compound in which only two
nonmetallic elements are present.
• The full name of the nonmetal of lower
electronegativity is given first, followed by a
separate word containing the stem of the name
of the more electronegative nonmetal and the
suffix –ide.
• Numerical prefixes, giving numbers of atoms,
precede the names of both nonmetals.
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Section 5.12
Naming Binary Molecular Compounds
Binary Covalent Compounds
• Examples:
CO2 Carbon dioxide
SF6 Sulfur hexafluoride
N2O4 Dinitrogen tetroxide
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Section 5.12
Naming Binary Molecular Compounds
Common Numerical
Prefixes
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Section 5.12
Naming Binary Molecular Compounds
(Insert Table 5.2 on pg.
Some Binary 131, Stoker 5e.)
Molecular
Compounds That
Have Common
Names
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Section 5.12
Naming Binary Molecular Compounds
Exercise
Which of the following compounds is named
incorrectly?
a) NO2 nitrogen dioxide
b) P2O5 phosphorus pentoxide
c) PCl3 phosphorus trichloride
d) SO3 sulfur trioxide
e) ICl iodine monochloride
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