Bond Order Calculations

C-C
C=C
CC

Bond Order = 1
Bond Order = 2
Bond Order =3

Bond Order Length

C-C > C=C > CC
Triple bond order length smallest
How to Calculate Fractional Bond Orders
Eg. Bond order of S in SO2, SO3, and CO2
1. Draw Lewis Structure

:- S=:

= 18 electrons

2. Add up number of bonds with central atom

S=3
3. Divide by number of resonance structures =2
3/2 = 1.5
Or divide by number of atoms connected to central atom =2
SO3

1.

::
:- S=:

= 24 electrons

2. S=4
3. 3 resonance structures or 3 atoms
4. Bond length = 4/3 = 1.33
CO2

1. :=C=:
2. C=4
3. 2 resonance structures or 2 atoms
4. Bond length= 4/2 = 2

5/13/13 mds/cs
Indian River State College, ASC