1. Covalent Bonding Notes
FORMED ONLY BETWEEN 2 OR MORE NONMETALS

2. Electronegativity How do you know which nonmetals to write first?
Less electronegative goes first followed be the more electronegative.
Electronegativity: atom’s ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. (higher electronegativity means the atom wants electrons more)
Example: HF (Hydrogen Flouride)
H (2.1) and F(4.0)

3. Yes, there are 2 kinds of covalent bonds!
Polar covalent: the electrons are shared, but one atom is pulling on the electrons a lot more. The electrons spend more time around that atom.
Nonpolar covalent: the electrons are evenly shared between the two atoms. Ex. Cl2, H2

5. O(3.5) – O (3.5) = 0 Nonpolar covalent bond
The electronegativity difference is zero.
The electrons are equally shared between two oxygen atoms forming a nonpolar covalent bond.

6. O(3.5) – H (2.1) = 1.4 Polar covalent bond
H2O

7. Properties of Covalent Compounds
1)  Covalent compounds generally have much lower melting and boiling points than ionic compounds. 
2)  Covalent compounds are soft and squishy (compared to ionic compounds, anyway).

8. Properties, Cont’d
3)  Covalent compounds tend to be more flammable than ionic compounds.
There are exceptions to this rule!
4)  Covalent compounds don't conduct electricity in water.

9. How to Name Covalent Compounds
1. Name the first element
(normal name)
2. Name the second element
(root name + “-ide”)
3. Add prefixes to indicate how many atoms of each element are in the molecule
(Subscripts)
Exception: no need to use “mono” for first element. Example: CO2 = carbon dioxide

10. Prefixes Subscript prefix 1 Mono 2 Di- 3 Tri- 4 Tetra- 5 Penta- 6
Hexa- 7
Hepta- 8
Octa- 9
Nona- 10
Deca-

11. Diatomics
Diatomic elements are elements that do not exist singularly in nature because they are highly reactive.
“Which elements are the diatomics?”
“HON, it’s the halogens!”
H2, O2, N2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2

12. Ionic vs Covalent Bonding
Ionic: electron(s) leave one atom & gained by another atom to satisfy both atoms’ octets, this results in the formation of ions. The resulting opposite charges attract each other.
Covalent: electrons are shared by two or more atoms to satisfy their octets.

13. How can you tell if a bond is IONIC or COVALENT?
Subtract the two electronegativity values (look at an electronegativity chart p. 263).
>1.7 to 4.0: Ionic
>0.4 to 1.7: Polar Covalent
0.0 to 0.4: Non-Polar Covalent

14. How can you tell if a bond is IONIC or COVALENT?
Easy way:
All metals = metallic bond
Nonmetals and Metals = ionic bond
All nonmetals = covalent bond

15. The closer the elements are on the periodic table, their electronegativities are more similar… more likely to form covalent bonds
Farther away… greater difference in electronegativity… more likely to form ionic bonds.
Metal + nonmetal = usually ionic
Nonmetal + nonmetal = usually covalent.

16. Bond Dissociation Energy
Bond dissociation energy = energy required to break a covalent bond.
Highest bond energy Lowest bond energy
Hardest to break Easiest to break
Triple Double Single
Bond Bond Bond
Shortest bond length Longest bond length
Strongest Weakest

17. Memorize these exceptions
Chemical formula
name
H2O
water
CH4
Methane
NH3
ammonia

18. MEMORIZE THESE ACID NAMES
HCl
Hydrochloric acid
H2SO4
Sulfuric acid