Chemistry 2nd Semester: 1st LT notes (Chapter 9)

Molecules – are a group of atoms bound together by covalent bonds

Covalent bond – the interatomic linkage that results from the sharing of an electron pair between
two atoms, which have small electronegativity difference

Molecular compounds – compounds that result from covalent bonding

Types of Covalent Bonds

➢ Single
o Shares 1 pair of valence electrons
o Long bond length
o Weakest
o Lowest reactivity
➢ Double
o Shares 2 pairs of valence electrons
o Medium bond length
o Intermediate
o Medium reactivity
➢ Triple
o Shares 3 pairs of valence electrons
o Short bond length
o Strongest
o Highest reactivity

Molecular compounds and their properties

- Exists between two nonmetals (different or identical elements)

- Molecule
- Electrically nonconducting
o Do not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water
o Constituent atoms are bond to the molecule
- Forces of attraction between covalent molecules are relatively weaker, hence,
- Low melting point, low boiling point, and soft
- Characteristics of compounds formed:
o Contains discrete molecules
o Solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature
o Aqueous solution does not conduct electricity

Polyatomic ions

- Also known as a molecular ion

- Is a covalently bonded set of two or more atoms

LEDs of molecules and polyatomic ions – steps

1. Write the chemical form of the compound

2. Get the total valence electrons of this compound
 3. Draw a skeletal structure of the molecule. The least electronegative element is assigned as the
central atom. The single atom in the formula is normally assigned as the central atom
surrounded by the terminal atoms
a. Central atom – covalently bonded to more than one atom
b. Terminal atom – bonded to only one other atom
4. Each bond accounts for 2 electrons. Subtract those used for the bonds from the total valence
electrons calculated in step 2
5. The remaining electrons are distributed to the atoms
6. Check

Molecular Geometry

- Describes the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule or polyatomic ion

- LEDs and VSEPR (valence shell electron pair repulsion)
o VSEPR theory suggests that electron pairs around an atom assume an arrangement in
space that reduces the repulsions between them.

Molecular Geometry and Electron Domain Model of Molecules

Pattern No. of Lone No. of Shape

Pairs Bonds
𝐴𝐵2 0 2 Linear
𝐴𝐵2 𝑁2 2 2 Angular/Bent/V-shape
𝐴𝐵3 0 3 Trigonal planar
𝐴𝐵3 𝑁 1 3 Trigonal pyramidal
𝐴𝐵4 0 4 Tetrahedral
𝐴𝐵5 0 5 Trigonal bipyramidal
𝐴𝐵6 0 6 Octahedral

Shape:
Electronegativity

- Can be used to predict the nature of the chemical bond

- The higher electronegativity value of an element means that it has greater attraction for
shared electrons in a chemical bond

Bond Polarity

- The larger the electronegativity difference (ΔEN) between the two atoms, the more polar the
bond will be
- ΔEN ≥ 1.7 Ionic bond
- 1.7 > ΔEN > 0.4 Polar covalent bond
- ΔEN ≤ 0.4 Nonpolar covalent bond
- Results from the electron distribution (electron density) between atoms as a consequence of
their electronegativities
- Nonpolar bonds
o Two atoms with equal electronegativities equally share the electrons, which results in an
even electron density
- Polar bonds
o Unequal electronegativities result in an uneven electron distribution
o One is partially positive and the other, partially negative
▪ Bond dipole – the charge separation resulting from the unequal sharing of the
electrons (represented as ) where the arrowhead points to the more
electronegative atom
• The greater the electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms,
the greater is the bond dipole

Polarity of Molecules

- A polar molecule always contains one or more polar bonds; but some molecules with polar
bonds can be nonpolar overall
- This difference can be explained by the net dipole moment
o µ, Molecular dipole
o Measured in debyes
o Is affected by the shape of the molecule
o The higher the value, the more polar is the molecule
- Nonpolar molecules
o Symmetrical shape (such as linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, octahedral, square
planar, trigonal bipyramidal)
o Lone pairs are present
o 0 polarity (no difference)
- Polar molecules
o Can conduct electricity
o There is a dipole moment (there is a difference)
- The polarity of substances determines their solubility in different solvents
o Follows the general rule “like dissolves like”
▪ A polar solute always dissolves in a polar solvent
▪ A nonpolar solute dissolves in a nonpolar solvent
▪ A nonpolar (or polar) solute will not dissolve in a polar (or nonpolar) solvent