Chemical Bonding

ICSE Class 10 Chemistry • Chapter 02

1. Introduction to Chemical Bonding

Chemical Bond: The attractive force that holds atoms together in a molecule or compound.

Why do atoms form bonds? To achieve a stable electronic configuration (complete octet or duplet) and lower their energy.

Octet Rule: Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve 8 electrons in their valence shell.

Duplet Rule: For H, Li, Be → achieve 2 electrons in valence shell.

Types of Chemical Bonds

Bond Type Formation Formed Between
Electrovalent (Ionic) Transfer of electrons Metal + Non-metal
Covalent Sharing of electrons Non-metal + Non-metal
Coordinate (Dative) One-sided sharing Special cases (lone pair donation)

2. Electrovalent (Ionic) Bonding

Definition: A bond formed by the complete transfer of one or more electrons from a metal atom to a non-metal atom, resulting in the formation of ions held together by electrostatic attraction.

Metal → Loses electrons → Forms Cation (+)

Non-metal → Gains electrons → Forms Anion (-)

Electron Dot Structures of Ionic Compounds

Example 1: Formation of NaCl (Sodium Chloride)

Na (2,8,1) → Na⁺ (2,8) + e⁻

Cl (2,8,7) + e⁻ → Cl⁻ (2,8,8)

Na• + •Cl: → Na⁺ + [:Cl:]⁻

Electrostatic attraction between Na⁺ and Cl⁻ forms NaCl

Example 2: Formation of MgCl₂ (Magnesium Chloride)

Mg (2,8,2) → Mg²⁺ (2,8) + 2e⁻

2 Cl atoms accept 1 electron each → 2 Cl⁻

•Mg• + 2(•Cl:) → Mg²⁺ + 2[:Cl:]⁻

Example 3: Formation of CaO (Calcium Oxide)

Ca (2,8,8,2) → Ca²⁺ (2,8,8) + 2e⁻

O (2,6) + 2e⁻ → O²⁻ (2,8)

•Ca• + :O: → Ca²⁺ + [:O:]²⁻

Properties of Ionic Compounds

Property Explanation
High Melting & Boiling Point Strong electrostatic forces between ions require high energy to break
Solid at Room Temperature Ions arranged in rigid crystal lattice
Conduct Electricity (molten/aqueous) Free mobile ions carry charge; NOT in solid state
Soluble in Water Polar water molecules dissociate ionic compounds
Not Soluble in Organic Solvents Non-polar solvents cannot break ionic bonds

3. Covalent Bonding

Definition: A bond formed by mutual sharing of electrons between two non-metal atoms to achieve stable configuration.

Shared Pair: The pair of electrons shared between atoms.

Lone Pair: Non-bonding electron pairs on an atom.

Types of Covalent Bonds

Type Electrons Shared Bond Representation Examples
Single Bond 1 pair (2 e⁻) A — B H₂, Cl₂, H₂O
Double Bond 2 pairs (4 e⁻) A = B O₂, CO₂, C₂H₄
Triple Bond 3 pairs (6 e⁻) A ≡ B N₂, C₂H₂

Electron Dot Structures of Covalent Molecules

Hydrogen (H₂) - Single Bond

Each H has 1 electron, needs 1 more for duplet.

H• + •H → H:H or H—H

Chlorine (Cl₂) - Single Bond

Each Cl has 7 electrons, needs 1 more for octet.

:Cl• + •Cl: → :Cl:Cl: or Cl—Cl

Oxygen (O₂) - Double Bond

Each O has 6 electrons, needs 2 more for octet.

:O:: + ::O: → :O::O: or O=O

Nitrogen (N₂) - Triple Bond

Each N has 5 electrons, needs 3 more for octet.

:N::: + :::N: → :N:::N: or N≡N

Water (H₂O)

O shares 1 electron with each H. O has 2 lone pairs.

H:O:H (bent structure)

Ammonia (NH₃)

N shares 1 electron with each of 3 H atoms. N has 1 lone pair.

H:N:H (pyramidal structure)
  H

Methane (CH₄)

C shares 1 electron with each of 4 H atoms. No lone pairs on C.

Tetrahedral structure

Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄)

C shares 1 electron with each of 4 Cl atoms.

Tetrahedral structure

Polar vs Non-Polar Covalent Compounds

Polar Covalent Non-Polar Covalent
Unequal sharing of electrons Equal sharing of electrons
Difference in electronegativity Same electronegativity (same atoms)
Examples: HCl, H₂O Examples: H₂, Cl₂, O₂, N₂

Properties of Covalent Compounds

Property Explanation
Low Melting & Boiling Point Weak intermolecular forces (easy to break)
Exist as Gases/Liquids/Soft Solids Weak forces between molecules
Do NOT Conduct Electricity No free ions or electrons
Insoluble in Water Non-polar molecules don't interact with polar water
Soluble in Organic Solvents "Like dissolves like"

4. Coordinate (Dative) Bonding

Definition: A covalent bond where both electrons of the shared pair are contributed by ONE atom only (donor), while the other atom accepts them (acceptor).

Represented by: Arrow (→) pointing from donor to acceptor.

Examples of Coordinate Bonding

Ammonium Ion (NH₄⁺)

NH₃ has a lone pair on N. H⁺ has empty orbital.

N donates its lone pair to H⁺ → Coordinate bond formed.

NH₃ + H⁺ → [NH₄]⁺

Hydronium Ion (H₃O⁺)

H₂O has lone pairs on O. H⁺ has empty orbital.

O donates lone pair to H⁺ → Coordinate bond formed.

H₂O + H⁺ → [H₃O]⁺

Key Point: In coordinate bonding, once formed, the coordinate bond is indistinguishable from a normal covalent bond!

5. Comparison Table

Property Ionic Covalent
Formation Electron transfer Electron sharing
Between Metal + Non-metal Non-metals
State Solid Gas/Liquid/Soft solid
M.P./B.P. High Low
Conductivity Yes (molten/aqueous) No
Solubility Water soluble Organic solvent soluble

Exam Practice (PYQ Trends)

PYQ: 2023

BOARD Draw electron dot structures showing formation of: (i) MgO (ii) CaCl₂

PYQ: 2022

BOARD Give two differences between electrovalent and covalent compounds. Give one example of each.

Additional

HOTS Explain with electron dot diagram how a coordinate bond is formed in ammonium ion.