3B.

3 Bonding in discrete (Simple)

molecules
Learning objectives:
• Understand what is meant by the term discrete (simple) molecules.
• Draw dot-and-cross diagrams to show bonding in discrete molecules
with single, double and triple bonds.
• Draw displayed formulae to represent the bonding in discrete molecules.
Simple molecules or Discrete molecule:
A small group of atoms held together by covalent bonds
Dot and Cross diagrams:
Hydrogen molecule, H2:
EC of H is 1

→
Chlorine molecule, Cl2:
EC of Cl is 2,8, 7

→
Oxygen molecule, O2:
EC of O is 2, 6
Nitrogen molecule, N2:
EC of 2, 5
There are two types of electron pairs on the central atom of a molecule

(a) Bond pair: A pair of electron in outer shell involved in bonding

(b) Lone pair: A pair of electron in the outer shell not involved in bonding
Methane molecule, CH4:
EC of C is 2, 4 and that of H is 1

There are four electron pairs on central atom carbon and all are bond pairs
 Ammonia molecule, NH3:
EC of N 2, 5 and of H is 1

There are four electron pairs on the central atom N. Three are bond pairs
and one lone pair
Water molecule, H2O:
EC of O 2, 6 and that of H is 1

There are four electron pairs on central atom O. Two are bond pairs and two
are lone pairs.
Carbon dioxide, CO2:
EC of C is 2, 4 and that of O is 2,6

There are *two electron pairs on central atom C. Both are bond pairs.
Ethane, C2H6:
The EC of C is 2, 4 and that of H is 1.

There are four electron pairs on central atom C. All are bond pairs.
Ethene, C2H4:
EC of C is 2, 4 and that of H is 1

There are *three electron pairs on central atom C. All are bond pairs.
The octet Rule:
In IGCSE we have learned, to form stable compounds the outer shell of each
atom must have noble gas configuration of 8 electrons in outer shell.
This is not always true.
The following molecules do not obey octet rule.
Beryllium chloride, BeCl2:
The EC of Be is 2, 2 and that of Cl is 2, 8, 7

There are 2 electron pairs around the central atom Be, all are bond pairs
Boron trifluoride, BF3:
The EC of B 2, 3 and of F 2, 7

There are 3 electron pairs around the central atom B, all are bond pairs
Phosphorus(V) chloride, PCl5:
The EC of P is 2, 8, 5 and that of Cl is 2, 8, 7

There are 5 electron pairs around the central atom P, all are bond pairs
Sulphur hexafluoride, SF6:
The EC of S is 2, 8, 6 and that of F is 2, 7

There are 6 electron pairs around the central atom S, all are bond pairs
Checkpoint: Textbook page 79
Q1) Draw a dot-and-cross diagram for each of the following molecules:
(a) H2S
Ans. The EC of S is 2, 6 and that of H is 1

There are four electron pairs around the central atom S, two are bond pairs
and two lone pairs
 (b)PH3
Ans. The EC of P is 2,8,5 and that of H is 1

There are four electron pairs around the central atom P, three are bond
pairs and one lone pairs
(c) PF3
Ans. The EC of P is 2,8,7 and that of F is 2,7

There are four electron pairs around the central atom P, three are bond
pairs and one lone pairs
(d) SCl2
Ans. The EC of S is 2, 8, 6 and that of Cl is 2, 8, 7

There are four electron pairs around the central atom S, two are bond pairs
and two are lone pairs
(e) AsF5
Ans. As has 5 and F has 7 electrons in outer shells.

There are five electron pairs around the central atom As, all are bond pairs
(f) HCN
The EC of C is 2,4, of N is 2, 5 and that of H is 1

There are *2 electron pairs around the central atom C, all are bond pairs
(g) SO2
The EC of S is 2,8, 6 and that of O is 2,6

There are *four electron pairs on central atom S. Two are bond pairs and two
are lone pairs.
Q2) Draw the displayed formula for each of the molecules in Question 1.
(a) H2S
Ans. H — S— H
(b)PH3
H
|
H—P—H
(c) PF3
F
|
F—P—F
(D) SCl2
Cl — S— Cl
(E) AsF5

e) HCN
H—C≡N

(g) SO2
O=S=O