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Chemical Bond Types and Properties

Oct 20, 2025

Overview

This lecture explains the three main types of chemical bonds: ionic (electrovalent), covalent, and coordinate bonds, their formation, properties, and related examples, including electron dot structures and key distinctions.

Types of Chemical Bonding

  • Chemical bond is a force that connects atoms, elements, or molecules.
  • The three main types of bonds: Ionic (Electrovalent), Covalent, and Coordinate.

Ionic (Electrovalent) Bond

  • Forms between a metal (loses electrons) and a non-metal (gains electrons).
  • Involves complete transfer of electrons from metal to non-metal.
  • Example: Na (281) loses one electron, becomes Na+, Cl (287) gains one, becomes Cl–, forming NaCl.
  • Ionic bond results from electrostatic attraction between cations (+) and anions (–).
  • The formation involves oxidation (loss of electrons) for metals and reduction (gain of electrons) for non-metals.
  • Bond formation is a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction.
  • Properties:
    • Strong electrostatic forces.
    • Solid at room temperature due to strong attraction.
    • High melting and boiling points.
    • Conduct electricity in molten or aqueous state, not in solid.
    • Soluble in water (polar solvent), insoluble in organic solvents.

Covalent Bond

  • Forms between two non-metals via mutual sharing of electrons.
  • No ions are produced; the bond involves molecules only.
  • Types:
    • Single bond: One pair shared (e.g., H₂).
    • Double bond: Two pairs shared (e.g., O₂).
    • Triple bond: Three pairs shared (e.g., N₂).
  • Structures can be represented using Lewis electron dot structures.
  • Examples: CH₄, CCl₄, H₂O, NH₃, with respective dot structures.
  • Properties:
    • Weak Van der Waals (intermolecular) forces.
    • Often gases, liquids, or soft solids.
    • Low melting and boiling points.
    • Generally poor conductors of electricity.
    • Usually insoluble in water (unless polar).

Polar and Non-polar Covalent Compounds

  • Non-polar: Equal sharing, no charges, typically insoluble in water (e.g., H₂, O₂, CCl₄).
  • Polar: Unequal sharing due to electronegativity differences (e.g., HCl, NH₃, H₂O); display partial charges (δ+ and δ–), can dissolve in water, and may conduct electricity.
  • Geometry can affect polarity (e.g., CCl₄ non-polar despite polar bonds; CHCl₃ is polar).

Coordinate (Dative) Bond

  • Formed when both electrons in a shared pair come from the same atom (the donor) to an acceptor atom.
  • Example: Hydronium ion (H₃O⁺) and ammonium ion (NH₄⁺), where O or N donates a lone pair to H⁺.
  • Arrow in the structure points from donor to acceptor.
  • Coordinate bonds exist alongside covalent bonds within the same species.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Ionic Bond (Electrovalent Bond) — Complete transfer of electrons from metal to non-metal, forming cations and anions.
  • Covalent Bond — Mutual sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between two non-metals.
  • Coordinate Bond — Shared pair of electrons both supplied by one atom to another atom.
  • Redox Reaction — Simultaneous occurrence of oxidation and reduction during bond formation.
  • Electronegativity — Tendency of an atom to attract shared electrons in a bond.
  • Lone Pair — A pair of valence electrons not involved in bond formation.
  • Dielectric Property — Water's ability to reduce electrostatic force between ions.
  • Polar Solvent — Solvent that dissolves ionic and polar compounds due to its charge separation.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review electron dot structures for examples (NaCl, MgCl₂, MgO, CH₄, CCl₄, H₂O, NH₃, H₃O⁺, NH₄⁺).
  • Study the difference between ionic, covalent, and coordinate bonds.
  • Understand the role of polarity and electronegativity.
  • Complete readings on redox reactions, electrolysis, and properties of acids/bases as referenced.