Theories of Covalent Bonding

Theories of Covalent Bonding

Valence Bond (VB) Theory and Orbital Hybridization

 Origin Valence bond Theory

• The Lewis approach to chemical bonding failed to shed light on the

formation of chemical bonds.

• Lewis theory could not explain the bond length and bond strength (bond
dissociation energy) molecules.

• Lewis theory failed to explain the shapes of polyatomic molecules such

as NH3, CH4 etc
 Origin of Valence bond Theory
• Also, valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (or VSEPR theory) is fines
theory to explain the shape of small molecule theoretically but had limited
applications (and also failed in predicting the geometry corresponding to
complex molecules).

• In order to address these issues, the valence bond theory was put forth by the
German physicists Walter Heinrich Heitler and Fritz Wolfgang London.

• The Schrodinger wave equation was also used to explain the formation of a
covalent bond between two hydrogen atoms.

• The chemical bonding of two hydrogen atoms as per the valence bond theory is
illustrated below.
 Valence Bond Theory
• This theory focuses on the concepts of electronic configuration, atomic orbitals
(and their overlapping) and the hybridization of these atomic orbitals.

• Chemical bonds are formed from the overlapping of atomic orbitals wherein the
electrons are localized in the corresponding bond region.

• The valence bond theory also goes on to explain the electronic structure of the
molecules formed by this overlapping of atomic orbitals.

• It also emphasizes that the nucleus of one atom in a molecule is attracted to the
electrons of the other atoms.
 Postulates of Valence Bond Theory

• The important postulates of the valence bond theory are listed below.
• Covalent bonds are formed when two valence orbitals (half-filled) belonging to
two different atoms overlap on each other. The electron density in the area
between the two bonding atoms increases as a result of this overlapping, thereby
increasing the stability of the resulting molecule. Paired electrons confined
between the nuclei of two atoms.

• The presence of many unpaired electrons in the valence shell of an atom enables it
to form multiple bonds with other atoms.
• The paired electrons (Lone pair) present in the valence shell do not participate in
the formation of chemical bonds as per the valence bond theory.
 Postulates of Valence Bond Theory

• Covalent chemical bonds are directional and are also parallel to the
region corresponding to the atomic orbitals that are overlapping.

• (Ionic bonds are non directional)

 Postulates of Valence Bond Theory

• Greater is the overlapping greater will be the strength of

resultant bond.

• Sigma bonds and pi bonds differ in the pattern that the atomic
orbitals overlap in, i.e. pi-bonds are formed from sidewise
overlapping whereas the overlapping along the axis containing
the nuclei of the two atoms leads to the formation of sigma
bonds.
Sigma and Pi-bond
 Sigma and Pi-bond
• Sigma bonds and pi bonds differ in the pattern that the atomic orbitals
overlap in, i.e. pi-bonds are formed from sidewise overlapping
whereas the overlapping along the axis containing the nuclei of the
two atoms leads to the formation of sigma bonds.

• The formation of sigma and pi bonds is illustrated below

• It can be noted that sigma bonds involve the head-to-head overlapping

of atomic orbitals whereas pi bonds involve parallel overlapping.
Examples of overlapping (Sigma bond) H2 Molecules

First bond is always sigma

Examples of overlapping (Sigma bond) HCl Molecules

First bond is always sigma

Examples of overlapping (Sigma bond) Cl2 Molecules

First bond is always sigma

Π-Bond-O2 molecule
Π-Bond-N2 molecule
Number of Orbitals and Types of Hybridization

• According to VBT theory the metal atom or ion

under the influence of ligands can use its (n-1)d, ns,
np, or ns, np, nd orbitals for hybridization to yield a
set of equivalent orbitals of definite geometry such
as octahedral, tetrahedral, square planar and so on.

• These hybrid orbitals are allowed to overlap with

ligand orbitals that can donate electron pairs for
bonding.
 Applications of Valence Bond Theory

• The maximum overlap condition which is described by the

valence bond theory can explain the formation of covalent
bonds in several molecules.
• This is one of its most important applications. For example,
the difference in the length and strength of the chemical
bonds in H2 and F2 molecules can be explained by the
difference in the overlapping orbitals in these molecules.
• The covalent bond in an HF molecule is formed from the
overlap of the 1s orbital of the hydrogen atom and a 2p
orbital belonging to the fluorine atom, which is explained
by the valence bond theory.
 Limitations of Valence Bond Theory

• The shortcomings of the valence bond theory include

• Failure to explain the tetravalency exhibited by carbon.
• 1s2, 2s2, 2px1 2py1
• 1s2, 2s1,2px1, 2py1, 2pz1. It can form four bonds.
• CH4, CCl4 carbon is tetravalent.
• No insight offered on the energies of the electrons.
• The theory assumes that electrons are localized in specific areas.
• It does not give a quantitative interpretation of the thermodynamic or kinetic
stabilities of coordination compounds.
• No distinction between weak and strong ligands.
• No explanation for the colour exhibited by coordination compounds.
• O2 should be diamagnetic as per VBT but O 2 is actually paramagnetic.
 Models for Chemical Bonding
The Lewis model of chemical bonding predates
the idea that electrons have wave properties.
There are two other widely used theories of
bonding that are based on the wave nature of an
electron.
•Valence Bond Theory
•Molecular Orbital
Theory
 Formation of H2 from Two Hydrogen Atoms

+ e– + e–

• Examine how the electrostatic forces change

as two hydrogen atoms are brought together.
• These electrostatic forces are:
attractions between the electrons and the
nuclei
repulsions between the two nuclei
repulsions between the two electrons
 Figure 1.14

weak net attraction at

long distances

Potential
energy
H• + H•
H H

Internuclear distance
 Figure 1.14
attractive forces increase
faster than repulsive forces
as atoms approach each other
Potential
energy
H• + H•
H H
H H
H H

Internuclear distance
 Figure 1.14
maximum net attraction
(minimum potential energy)
at 74 pm internuclear distance
Potential 74 pm
energy
H• + H•
H H
H H
H H
-436 kJ/mol
H2

Internuclear distance
Figure 1.14

1s H H 1s

2 H atoms: each electron "feels"

attractive force of one proton

H H

H2 molecule: each electron "feels"

attractive force of both protons
 Figure 1.14
repulsive forces increase
faster than attractive forces
at distances closer than 74 pm
Potential 74 pm
energy
H• + H•
H H
H H
H H
-436 kJ/mol
H2

Internuclear distance
 Models for Chemical Bonding

•Valence Bond Theory

constructive interference between two
electron waves is basis of shared-electron
bond
•Molecular Orbital Theory
derive wave functions of molecules
by combining wave functions of atoms
 Bonding in H2:
The Valence Bond Model
 Valence Bond Model

• Electron pair can be shared when half-filled

orbital of one atom overlaps in phase with
half-filled orbital of another.
 Valence Bond Model

1s H H 1s

in-phase overlap of two half-filled

hydrogen 1s orbitals

H H

s bond of H2
 Valence Bond Model
• s Bond: orbitals overlap along
internuclear axis
• Cross section of orbital perpendicular to
internuclear axis is a circle.

H H
 Valence Bond Model of H2

Figure 1.17(a) The 1s orbitals of two separated hydrogen

atoms are far apart. Essentially no interaction. Each
electron is associated with a single proton.
 Valence Bond Model of H2

Figure 1.17(b) As the hydrogen atoms approach each other,

their 1s orbitals begin to overlap and each electron begins to
feel the attractive force of both protons.
 Valence Bond Model of H2

Figure 1.17(c) The hydrogen atoms are close enough so

that appreciable overlap of the the two 1s orbitals occurs.
The concentration of electron density in the region between
the two protons is more readily apparent.
 Valence Bond Model of H2

Figure 1.17(d) A molecule of H2. The two hydrogen 1s

orbitals have been replaced by a new orbital that
encompasses both hydrogens and contains both electrons.