1.

Notes on Covalent Bonding

2. Covalent Bonding Practice
 Covalent Compounds

H.C.3A.1 Construct explanations for the formation of

molecular compounds via sharing of electrons and for
the formation of ionic compounds via transfer of electrons.
H.C.3A.2 Use the periodic table to write and interpret the
formulas and names of chemical compounds (including
binary ionic compounds, binary covalent compounds, and
straight-chain alkanes up to six carbons).
H.C.3A.4 Plan and conduct controlled scientific
investigations to generate data on the properties of
substances and analyze the data to infer the types of bonds
(including ionic, polar covalent, and nonpolar covalent) IV
in simple compounds.
 Covalent bonds are formed between 2
or more nonmetals that share
electrons to obtain a full valence
electron shell!
› Remember the octet rule?!?
 8 is great!
 Full valence electron shell like the
Noble Gases
 There are 7 elements that will
make Diatomic Molecules
› molecules made of 2 atoms.
 H-O-N-Cl-Br-I-F
1. “True” Molecules without a definitive
shape
1. Molecules are individual particles UNLIKE
the cluster of ions that give ionic
compounds a crystal shape
2. May be solid, liquid, or gas at room
temp.
3. Low Melting Point
4. Usually not soluble in water
5. Does not conduct electricity
 There are 2 types of covalent bonds:
1. Nonpolar Covalent
 Electrons are shared equally by the atoms
 Atoms have similar electronegativities
2. Polar Covalent
 Electrons are not shared equally
 Causes a partial positive and partial
negative charge on the ends of the molecule
 Created by differences
in electronegativity
 Ex: H2O
 Remember electronegativity? What
is it?
› The ability of an atom to attract
electrons in a chemical bond
Electronegativity
Bond Type
Difference

<0.4 Nonpolar (Covalent)

0.4-1.7 Polar (Covalent)

> 1.7 Ionic

 Predict the bond:
› Cl2
 Nonpolar covalent b/c same
electronegativity
› CF
 Polar covalent b/c difference in
electronegativity
› NaCl
 Ionic b/c metal + nonmetal

Electronegativity
Values
 Cl Cl
How will two chlorine atoms bond?
 Cl Cl
Each chlorine atom wants to gain one
electron to achieve an octet
 Cl Cl
Neither atom will give up an electron
b/c chlorine is highly electronegative.
Cl Cl
Cl Cl
Cl Cl
Cl Cl
 Cl Cl
o The octet is achieved by each atom
sharing the electron pair in the middle.
o The shared electrons make a Single
Bonding Pair = A Single Bond
 O O
How will two oxygen atoms bond?
 O O
Each atom has two unpaired electrons
O O
O O
O O
O O
O O
 O O
Both electron pairs are shared!
 O O
There are two bonding pairs, which make
a double bond!
 Bond Strength

Weakest -------------------> Strongest

PREFIX NUMBER
mono- 1
di- 2
tri- 3
tetra- 4
penta- 5
hexa- 6
hepta- 7
octa- 8
nona- 9
deca- 10
1. How do you know it’ s covalent? If the two
elements in the formula are both Nonmetals!
Ex: CCl4 Carbon and Chlorine are both nonmetals
2. The first element is always named using the
entire element’ s name.
Ex: CCl4 Carbon
3. Second element changes the ending to –ide.
Ex: CCl4 Chloride
4. Now look at any subscripts!! Prefixes are used
to indicate the # of atoms that are present in
the compound. Always OMIT mono- prefix on FIRST
element. Otherwise both elements will have a
prefix!
Ex: CCl4 Carbon Tetrachloride
 Mono is the ONLY prefix NOT used on the first
element.
 If there is only one atom of the second
element, then the prefix mono is necessary.
 Ex.
 CO
› Carbon Monoxide
 CO2
› Carbon Dioxide
 C2O
› Dicarbon Monoxide
 We DO NOT reduce/simplify for covalent
molecules. What you see is what you get. If
you reduced the subscripts, you would change
the chemical formula to a new compound with
different properties….
 C2H4
› Dicarbon Tetrahydride
 CH2
› Carbon Dihydride
 N3O6
› Trinitrogen Hexaoxide
 NO2
› Nitrogen Dioxide
 CCl4
 Carbon Tetrachloride

 N 2O
 Dinitrogen Monoxide

 SF
 Sulfur
6 Hexafluoride
1. Look at the prefixes – they tell you how
many atoms of each element are in that
compound.
2. Write the formula
 Arsenic trichloride
 AsCl3
 Dinitrogen pentoxide
 N2O5
 Disulfur monofluoride
 S2 F
 Hexaphosphate trioxide
 P6O3

 Nitrogen Heptabromide
 NBr7
1. Complete Covalent Bonding
Practice
› Check your answers on Schoology!

2. Review Common Ion Sheet for

Tomorrow.