Lesson Plan

Lesson: Further Covalent Bonding

Aim: To investigate the formation of multiple covalent bonds and coordinate bonds.

Learning Outcomes :

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. explain multiple covalent bonding in terms of ‘dot and cross’ diagrams.
2. list some examples of exceptions to the octet rule.
3. explain the existence of coordinate bonds as exemplified by H3O+,, NH4+, Al2Cl6 and [Fe(CN)6]3-.

Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already :

1. be familiar with the octet rule.
2. be familiar with the formation of ionic bonds and covalent bonds.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.

Time taken to complete the activities : 80 minutes

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity. The pop-up
answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their responses. Worksheet
questions include questions that require recall, understanding and application of the new concepts
learned.

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 Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources

1 Set Induction. • Teacher to quiz students on Octet Rule
(Ascertaining prior and the definition of covalent bonding.
knowledge and
introducing lesson • Teacher to state lesson objectives.
topic for the day).
2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 - 3 • Courseware
with the students.

• Activity 1 : Multiple Covalent Bonding

Students get to view how multiple
covalent bonds (double and triple) are
formed in O2, CO2, C2H2 and N2

• Activity 2 : Exceptions to the Octet

Rule.
Students get to investigate the formation
of BeCl2, BCl3, SF6 and PCl5 which
exemplifies exceptions to the Octet Rule.

• Activity 3 : Coordinate Bonding

Students get to view how a variation of
covalent bonding occurs in which both
electrons in the covalent bond formed are
donated by a single atom. Examples
shown are H3O+, NH4+, Al2Cl6 and
[Fe(CN)6]3-.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet

student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to go through the extension • Website

activities on their own. and References

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 Worksheet Answers

1. Multiple covalent bonding

1.1 a. The Lewis structure of CO2 is

b. The Lewis structure of N2 is

c. The Lewis structure of HCN is

d. The Lewis structure of C2H2 is

1.2 The Lewis structure for cyanomethane molecule is

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 2. Exception to the Octet Rule

2.1 Be, B, and Al may form compounds with less than eight electrons in their valence orbitals. All non-
metallic atoms in Period 3 and beyond it such as S, P, and I may form compounds with more than
eight electrons in their valence orbitals.

2.2 a. The Lewis structure of BeCl2, BCl3 and AlCl3 are

b. The centre atoms in these molecules have less than eight electrons.

2.3 Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) obeys the Octet Rule, while sulphur dioxide (SO2) and sulphur trioxide (SO3)
do not.

The Lewis structure of the molecules are

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 In H2S, the S atom has eight electrons; in SO2, the S atoms has 10 electrons and in SO3, the S atom
has 12 electrons in its valence orbitals.

S atom can accommodate more that eight electrons in its valence orbitals by using the empty 3d
orbitals.

2.4 NCl5 does not exist because N cannot expand its octet. N is in Period 2 of the Periodic Table. It
cannot accommodate 10 electrons in its valence orbitals because it has only 2s and 2p orbitals. (2d
orbitals do not exist.)

PCl5 exists because P can expand its octet. P is in Period 3 of the Periodic Table. It can
accommodate 10 electrons in its valence orbitals by using its empty 3d orbitals.

3. Coordinate bonding

3.1 Normal covalent bonding is formed when each atom shares a pair of electrons by contributing one
electron each.

Coordinate bonding is a type of covalent bond formed when the shared pair of electrons between two
atoms originate from only one of the atoms. The other bonding atom does not contribute electrons for
bonding.

3.2 a. H cannot form coordinate bonding. Its Lewis symbol is

Thus, it cannot donate or accept a pair of electrons.

b. Cl- can form coordinate bonding. Its Lewis symbol is

Thus, Cl- can donate a pair of electrons to an electron deficient molecule.

c. AlCl3 can form coordinate bonding. Its Lewis structure is

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 Al atom has only six electrons in its valence orbitals. Thus, it may accept a pair of electrons from
a donor. Cl atom can donate a pair of electrons to an electron-deficient molecule.

d. NH3 can form coordinate bonding. Its Lewis structure is

N atom has a pair of non-bonding electrons that may be donated to an electron deficient
molecule.

3.3 a. The donor atom is N (from ammonia molecule)

b. The donor atom is Cl-
c. The donor atom is N
d. The donor atom is C
e. The donor atom is O

3.4 a. The ligands are NH3 and Cl-. The Lewis structure or Lewis symbol is

b. Coordinate bonding

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