Verin Kaur Giovanni

Lesson Objectives:
(a) Describe the formation of a covalent bond by the sharing of a pair of electrons in order to gain the electronic configuration of a noble gas. (b) Describe, using dot-and-cross diagrams, the formation of covalent bonds between non-metallic elements, e.g. H2; O2; H2O; CH4; CO2. (c) Deduce the arrangement of electrons in other covalent molecules.

Let Us Recall Why do some atoms combine and others not? What are ionic bonds? Give an example of an ionic compound. Draw the dot and cross diagram of the above compound.

Elements such as chlorine and tungsten are used to make a modern light bulb. Both these elements are stable without forming ionic compounds. How is this possible? What kind of chemical bonding exists in such elements?

Comparison between Ionic Bonds and Covalent Bonds Ionic bonds Formed between metals and non-metals. Covalent bonds Formed between non-metal and nonmetals.

Involves the transfer of electrons.

Involves the sharing of electrons.

All atoms involved in the bonding achieve a full outermost shell (they achieve the electronic structure/configuration of a noble gas.)

Verin Kaur Giovanni

Covalent Bonding A covalent bond is a bond formed when there is a sharing of electrons between two or more non-metal atoms. After bonding, each atom attains a completely filled valence electron shell (noble gas configuration), and a molecule is formed.

Molecule : A group of * two or more * non-metal atoms * chemically bonded by covalent bonds. Covalent bonds can be formed between (a) non-metal atoms of the same element molecule of elements

(b)

non-metal atoms of different elements molecule of compounds

Pure Substance

Elements

Compounds

Atoms
e.g. Neon (Ne)

Molecules
e.g. Oxygen (O2)

Molecules
e.g. Water (H2O)

Ions
e.g. Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

Verin Kaur Giovanni

*Formulae of Molecules you have to know: Molecule Molecule of Elements oxygen molecule (O2) nitrogen molecule (N2) hydrogen molecule (H2) fluorine molecule (F2) chlorine molecule (Cl2) Molecule of Compounds water (H2O) hydrogen chloride (HCl) methane (CH4) ammonia (NH3) carbon dioxide (CO2)

There are three types of covalent bonds, single covalent bond, (involves sharing of 2 electrons) double covalent bond, (involves sharing of 4 electrons) triple covalent bond. (involves sharing of 6 electrons)

Verin Kaur Giovanni

Single Covalent Bond A single covalent bond consists of one shared pair of electrons. Hydrogen chloride (HCl) The first step is always to write down the electronic configuration of each atom in the molecule. Electronic Configuration of H: 1

Electronic Configuration of Cl: 2.8.7

Dot-and-cross diagram:

XX

XX X X

Cl
XX

H X

Cl
XX

X X

1 hydrogen atom no. of valence e-

1 chlorine atom Hydrogen atom 1 1 1

hydrogen chloride molecule Chlorine atom 7 1 1

no. of e- needed to achieve full outermost shell no. of e- contributed for sharing

In summary, Number of pairs of electrons shared between the hydrogen atom and each chlorine atom is 1. Total number of single covalent bonds is one.

A single covalent bond can be represented by a single line in the structural formula. Draw the structural formula of the hydrogen chloride molecule:

H-Cl

Verin Kaur Giovanni

Methane (CH4) Electronic Configuration of C : 2.4 Electronic Configuration of H : 1 Dot-and-cross diagram:

Methane molecule, CH4

X X

H
X

H
X

C
X

H
1 Carbon atom

4 Hydrogen atoms Carbon atom

-

no. of valence e
-

Hydrogen atom 1 1 1

no. of e needed to achieve full outermost shell no. of e- contributed for sharing

4 4 4

In summary, Number of pairs of electrons shared between the carbon atom and each hydrogen atom is one. Total number of single covalent bonds is four. Structural formula of the methane molecule:

H H-C-H H

Verin Kaur Giovanni

Try it!
Draw the dot-and-cross diagram of Ammonia (NH3) Electronic Configuration of N : 2.5 Electronic Configuration of H: 1

no. of valence eno. of e- needed to achieve full outermost shell no. of e- contributed for sharing

Nitrogen atom 5 3 3

Hydrogen atom 1 1 1

In summary, Number of pairs of electrons shared between the nitrogen atom and each hydrogen atom is one. Total number of single covalent bonds is 3.

Draw the structural formula of the ammonia molecule:

Verin Kaur Giovanni

Double Covalent Bond A double covalent bond consists of two pairs of electrons. Oxygen (O2) Electronic Configuration of O : 2.6 Dot-and-cross diagram:

XX

XX X X X X
O

Oxygen atom 1

X
oxygen atom 2

oxygen molecule

Oxygen atom no. of valence e

-

no. of e- needed to achieve full outermost shell 2 no. of e- contributed for sharing 2

In summary, number of pairs of electrons shared between the oxygen atoms is 2.

A double covalent bond can be represented by = in the structural formula. Draw the structural formula of the oxygen molecule:

Verin Kaur Giovanni

Try it!
Draw the dot-and-cross diagram of Carbon dioxide (CO2) Electronic Configuration of C : 2.4 Electronic Configuration of O: 2.6

Carbon atom no. of valence e

-

Oxygen atom 6 2 2

4 4 4

no. of e- needed to achieve full outermost shell no. of e- contributed for sharing

In summary, Number of pairs of electrons shared between the carbon atom and each oxygen atom is 2. Total number of double covalent bonds is 2.

Draw the structural formula of the carbon dioxide molecule:

Verin Kaur Giovanni

Triple Covalent Bond A triple covalent bond consists of three shared pair of electrons. Nitrogen (N2) Electronic Configuration of N : 2.5 Dot-and-cross diagram:

XX

nitrogen atom 1

X
nitrogen atom 2

XN X

X X

nitrogen molecule

Nitrogen atom no. of valence e

-

5 3 3

no. of e- needed to achieve full outermost shell no. of e- contributed for sharing

In summary, number of pairs of electrons shared between the nitrogen atoms is 3.

A double covalent bond can be represented by in the structural formula. Draw the structural formulae of the nitrogen molecule:

Verin Kaur Giovanni

Try it!
1. Circle the covalent compounds from the following list: MgSO4 NH3 CHCl3 CaCl2 SO2 I2

2. The electronic configuration of element X is 2, 4, and the electronic configuration of element Y is 2, 7. Draw the dot-and-cross diagram for the compound produced when X reacts with Y. You only need to show the valence electrons.

Notes: - Do not change the symbol for the elements X and Y. Use the symbols given. - Since question stated show only the valence electrons, do not draw the inner electron shells.

Summary A covalent bond is a bond formed when there is a sharing of electrons between two non-metal atoms. After bonding, each atom attains a completely filled valence electron shell (noble gas configuration), and a molecule is formed. Covalent bonds can be formed between atoms of the same element molecule of elements atoms of different elements molecule of compounds There are three types of covalent bonds, single covalent bond, double covalent bond and triple covalent bond. By analyzing the electronic configuration of the atoms in a molecule, we can deduce the arrangement of electrons and represent it in a dot-and-cross diagram.