Learning Outcome

(e) explain the existence of polar and non-polar

bonds (including C-Cl, C-N, C-O, C-Mg) resulting in
polar or/and non-polar molecules;

Formation of Polar and Non-Polar Bo

nds
Non-polar bonds are formed when two atoms equally share a
paired of electrons with each other.

 Polar bonds formed when a pair of electrons is unequally share

d between two atoms.

Different in electronegativity of the atoms.

Electronegativity
Is the ability of an atom to attract electrons towards itself.
Example:
+ H-Cl -: Partial negative charge
+: Partial positive charge
Ionic bond: Different in electronegativity (<2.0)
Polar covalent bond: Different in electronegativity (>0.4, <2.0)
Mostly covalent bond: Different in electronegativity (<0.4)
Non-polar covalent bond: Different in electronegativity(0)

Polar Molecules
(a) Covalent bond is polar bond
(b) Has net dipole moment, 0

Non-Polar Molecules
(a) Two atom in covalent are identical & have same electronega
tivity value (Non-polar bond) [H2, Cl2]
(b) Polar bond & has no net dipole moment, =0

Learning Outcome

(f) relate bond lengths and bond strengths with

respect to single, double and triple bonds;

Bond Lengths And Bond Strength

Bond length: length of covalent bond from nucleus of one ato
m to nucleus of the other
Bond strength: measured by bond energy and bond length
Bond energy: energy required to break a covalent bond, per m
ole of the bond
The higher the bond energy, the stronger the bond

Example:
CC (0.120nm) < C=C (0.134nm) < C-C (0.154nm)
Bond

Bond length / nm

Bond energy /
kJmol-1

C-C

0.154

348

C=C

0.134

612

CC

0.121

837

Generally, multiple bonds (double and triple bonds) are stron

ger than single bonds.
The shorter the bond, the greater the bond energy, the str
onger the bond

Learning Outcome

(g) explain the inertness of nitrogen molecule in

terms of its strong triple bond and non-polarity;

Inertness of Nitrogen Molecules, N 2

1. Strong triple bond
Molecule

NN

O=O

Cl-Cl

Bond
energy/kJmol-1

944

492

242

N2 has larger bond energy, so the bond is stronger.

Molecule
2. Non-polarity

NN

CO

Polarity

Non-polar molecule

Polar molecule

Reactivity

Low

High

Learning Outcome

(h) describe typical properties associated with

ionic and covalent bonding in terms of bond
strength, melting point and electrical
conductivity;

Different Between Ionic Compounds

and Covalent Molecules
Covalent Molecules
Property

Ionic Compounds

Simple Covalent
Molecules

Giant Covalent
Molecules

Bond strength

Strong

Weak

Strong

Melting and boiling

point

High

Low

High

Electrical
conductivity

Conduct electricity in
molten and aqueous
state

Do not conduct
electricity

Do not conduct
electricity (except
graphite)

State of matter

Hard solid

Gas / volatile liquid /

volatile solid

Hard solid

Solubility

Usually soluble in
water, insoluble in
organic solvent

Usually insoluble in
water, soluble in
organic solvent

Insoluble in water
and organic solvent

Learning Outcome

(i) explain the existence of covalent character in

ionic compounds such as Al2O3, AlI3 and LiI;

Polarisation in Ionic Bonds

Polarisation: distortion of the electron cloud of the negative io
n by a neighbouring positive ion

Covalent Character
Depends
on

polarising power of the cation

polarisibility of the anion

Polarising power: ability to attract electrons and distort anion

Depends on: charge density=
Polarising power increase when size of cation is smaller and charge is bigger

Polarisbility: ease which electron cloud around anion can be distorted by c

ation
Polarisibility increase when size of anion is bigger and charge is bigger

Covalent character increase when cation small in size, anion large in

size, charge of ion is high (Fajans Rule)

Learning Outcome

(j) explain the existence of coordinate (dative

covalent) bonding as exemplified by H3O+, NH4+,
Al2Cl6 and [Fe(CN)6]3.

Coordinate (Dative) Covalent Bonds

Type of covalent bond where both electron shared between tw
o atoms are contributed by one of the atoms only.

A
B
AB

Atom A (donor atom) has lone pair electrons, atom B (acceptor

atom) has an empty orbital.
The bond is represented by an arrow.

 Example:
(a) NH3 + H+ NH4+
NH3 has lone pair of electron on the nitrogen atom
H+ has an empty 1s orbital
During reaction, nitrogen share the lone pair electrons with H+
by forming coordinate bond between nitrogen atom and H+ ion

 (b) Hydroxonium ion, H2O + H+H3O+

(c) Aluminium chloride, Al2Cl6

(d) Hexacyaniferrate(III) ion, [Fe(CN)6]3-