Chemical Bonding

1 Formation of Ions – from atoms

• Ions are charged particles. Ions are not electrically neutral as the number of protons ≠ number of electrons.
• Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electron(s) in order to be achieve stable noble gas configuration (i.e. completely-filled
outermost electron shell).
• Group 0 elements are unreactive. (will not gain or lose electrons to form ions)
cations (positive charge ions) anions (negative charge ions)
Metal atoms Non-metal atoms:
 found in Group I, II and III (usually) of Periodic Table  found in Group V, VI and VII of Periodic Table
 lose valence electrons to form cations (positive ions)  gain electrons to form anions (negative ions)

When drawing electronic structure of ion: When drawing electronic structure of ion:
Remove the outermost shell of electrons Add electrons until there are 8 electrons in the outermost shell.

Formation of sodium ion: Formation of ion of oxygen (oxide ion):

Each sodium atom loses 1 electron to form sodium cation (Na+) Each oxygen atom gains 2 electrons to form oxide anion (O2−), [how
[how atom forms ion] atom forms ion]

in order to obtain neon’s stable noble gas configuration of 2.8. in order to obtain neon’s stable noble gas configuration of 2.8. [why
[why atom forms ion] atom forms ion]

Sodium ion has a charge of 1+. Oxide ion has a charge of 2–.
Positive ions : Negative ions:
no. of positively charged protons > no. of negatively charged no. of negatively charged electrons > no. of positively charged
electrons protons
Relationship between charge of ion & Group Number Relationship between charge of ion & Group Number

Group I II III Group V VI VII

charge charge
1+ 2+ 3+ 3– 2– 1–
of ion of ion

1
2 Ionic and Covalent Bonding
Ionic compound
has a giant crystal lattice structure
Structure
• Formed between metal and non-metal
• Strong electrostatic forces of attraction
between cations and anions (ionic bond).
• Examples: NaCl, (Strong electrostatic forces of
attraction between sodium cations and
chloride anions)
Type of Bonding
2
Simple Covalent substance
has a simple molecular structure
• Formed between non-metals
• Strong covalent bonds between the atoms within molecules.
• Weak intermolecular forces of attraction (between molecules)
• Example: hydrogen chloride (see below)
• (strong covalent bond between hydrogen atoms and
chlorine atoms but weak intermolecular forces between
hydrogen chloride molecules)
strong covalent weak intermolecular
bonds forces of attraction
H Cl H Cl
 Ionic compound Simple Covalent substance
High melting and boiling points Low melting and boiling points

Explanation: Explanation:
Large amount of energy is required to overcome the Smaller amount of energy is required to overcome the weak
strong electrostatic forces of attraction between intermolecular forces of attraction.
the ___cations and ___ anions.
Note:
Note: covalent substance melting point / °C
ionic compound melting point / °C fluorine, F2 –220
Melting and sodium chloride, NaCl 801 chlorine, Cl2 –7
Boiling point magnesium oxide, MgO 2852

Why does MgO has higher melting point than Why does Cl2 has higher melting point than F2?
NaCl? Chlorine has bigger relative molecular mas than fluorine.
In MgO, the Mg2+ and O2– ions have higher charges
than Na+ and Cl– ions. More energy needed to overcome stronger intermolecular forces of
attraction in Cl2 than F2.
More energy needed to overcome stronger
electrostatic forces of attraction in MgO than NaCl.

• Does not conduct electricity in solid state. • Does not conduct electricity in all states.

Explanation: Explanation:
Ions are held at fixed positions by strong ionic bonds. Covalent compounds exist as molecules. No free moving ions to
No free moving ions to conduct electricity. conduct electricity.
Electrical
• Conducts electricity in molten or aqueous state.
conductivity
Explanation:
Giant crystal lattice structure breaks down. Ions are
able to move freely to conduct electricity in the
structure.

Solubility • Mostly soluble in water * • Mostly insoluble in water *

• Mostly insoluble in organic solvent • Mostly soluble in organic solvent

3
 Ionic compound Simple Covalent substance
*some salts such as barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, *some covalent substances such as hydrogen chloride, ammonia,
silver chloride (insoluble salts, check solubility table ethanol are soluble in water.
under Salts) are not soluble in water.

Ionic compounds Simple Covalent substances

Dot-and-Cross sodium chloride hydrogen oxygen
Diagram

sodium oxide nitrogen water

lithium oxide carbon dioxide methane

4
 Ionic compounds Simple Covalent substances
magnesium chloride ammonia hydrogen chloride

magnesium oxide

chlorine (all Group VII elements will have

the same structure)

aluminium oxide

5
Formation of ionic and covalent bonds
Formation of ionic bond in sodium chloride Formation of covalent bond in carbon dioxide

Each carbon atom shares 4 electrons with 2 oxygen atoms.

Each oxygen atom shares 2 electrons with carbon.

There are strong covalent bonds between the oxygen and carbon
atoms.
Each sodium atom loses 1 electron and transfers to chlorine, hence,
forming Na+ cation. (Atoms share electrons to obtain the electronic configuration of a
noble gas / to obtain stable noble gas structure of neon, 2.8)
Each chlorine atom gains 1 electron from sodium, hence forming Cl–
anion.

There are strong electrostatic forces of attraction between

sodium cations and chloride anions.

In carbon dioxide:
number of bonding electrons = 8

Number of bonding pairs of electrons = 4

Hence, structural formula of CO2 is represented as: O = C = O

total number of non-bonding electrons =

Total number of electrons – number of bonding electrons
(6 + 8 + 8) – 8
= 14 non-bonding electrons