Covalent Bond

Why do covalent bonds form?

When non-metals react with one another,

their atoms share valence electrons.

The bond formed between atoms that

share electrons is called a covalent bond.

After bonding, each atom attains the electronic

configuration of a noble gas.

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 What are molecules?

When atoms combine by sharing electrons, a

molecule is formed.

A molecule is a group of two or more atoms

held together by covalent bonds.

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 Molecules of Elements

Many non-metallic elements exist as molecules

made up of two or more identical atoms.

Let us look at how electrons are shared and

arranged within molecules of some elements:

hydrogen, chlorine and oxygen

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 Hydrogen
Two hydrogen atoms share a
A hydrogen atom has pair of electrons so that each
1 valence electron. atom has 2 electrons in its
valence shell.

As a result, both have a stable duplet configuration.

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 Hydrogen

The sharing of 2 electrons forms a single covalent

bond.

A single covalent bond or a single bond is represented

by a single line ‘–’ in the structural formula.

‘Dot and cross’ Structural Molecular

Model
diagram formula formula

H H H2

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 Chlorine

A chlorine atom has 7 valence electrons.

To attain an octet structure, 2 chlorine atoms

combine to share a pair of electrons.

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 Chlorine

Like hydrogen, chlorine has a single covalent bond.

‘Dot and cross’ Structural Molecular

Model
diagram formula formula

Cl Cl Cl2

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 Oxygen

It needs 2 more electrons to

An oxygen atom has 6 form a stable octet structure.
valence electrons.

Each oxygen atom shares two of its electrons with

another oxygen atom.

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 Oxygen

4 electrons are shared between 2 oxygen atoms.

Such a bond is called a double covalent bond.

‘Dot and cross’ Structural Molecular

Model
diagram formula formula

O O O2

A double bond is represented by ‘ ’ in a structural formula.

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 Which is strongest covalent bonding?

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 Molecules of Compounds

When 2 or more different types of atoms form

covalent bonds, a molecular compound or
covalent compound is formed.

Water, methane and carbon dioxide are examples of

covalent compounds.

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 Water

Water is formed by the reaction of hydrogen with

oxygen such that all three atoms attain noble gas
configurations.

‘Dot and cross’ Structural Molecular

Model
diagram formula formula

H 2O

Each water molecule contains two single covalent bonds.

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 Methane
Methane (CH4) contains carbon and hydrogen.
‘Dot and cross’ Structural Molecular
Model
diagram formula formula

CH4

In a methane molecule, the carbon atom has an octet

configuration while each hydrogen atom has a duplet
configuration.
Methane has four single covalent bonds.
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 Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Each carbon atom shares 2 electrons each with two

oxygen atoms.

Each oxygen atom shares 2 electrons

with a carbon atom.

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 ‘Dot and cross’ Structural Molecular
Model
diagram formula formula

CO2

Consequently, a carbon dioxide molecule

contains two double covalent bonds.

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 Naming Covalent Compound

• 1# The second element end must be –ide.

Example : CO2 (Carbon dioxide)

• 2 # Previxes must be added before the

element names.
• Except : Mono in the first element.

Example : NO2 (Nitrogen dioxide)

N2O3 (Dinitrogen trioxide)
Cl2O (Dichlorine monoxide)

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 Writing the formulae of covalent
compounds
What is the chemical formula of carbon tetrachloride?
Thought Process:
We assume the first element named (in this
case, carbon) contains only one atom unless
otherwise stated.
The word ‘tetrachloride’ means ‘four chlorine atoms’.

Answer: CCl4

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 What is the chemical formula of
dinitrogen monoxide?

Answer:

N2O
‘dinitrogen’ means
‘2 nitrogen atoms’.

‘Monoxide’ means ‘1 oxide’.

Notice the subscript ‘1’ is not
indicated on the formula.

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 What is the chemical formula of
dinitrogen tetroxide?

Answer:

‘dinitrogen’ = 2 nitrogen atoms ‘tetroxide’ = 4 oxygen atoms

N2O4

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 You should learn the chemical formulae of
some common covalent substances, such as

ammonia (NH3),
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2),
methane (CH4),
ozone (O3) and
water (H2O).

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