Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

1. Introduction & Octet Rule

Atoms combine to attain stability by completing their octet (8 electrons in valence shell), similar to noble gases.

Exceptions to Octet Rule:
  • Incomplete Octet: Central atom has < 8 e- (e.g., LiCl, BeH2, BCl3).
  • Expanded Octet (Hypervalent): Central atom has > 8 e- (e.g., PCl5, SF6). Possible due to d-orbitals.
  • Odd Electron Species: NO, NO2.

Types of Bonds

Ionic BondCovalent Bond
Complete transfer of electrons.Sharing of electrons.
Metal (Low IE) + Non-metal (High EA).Non-metal + Non-metal.
Favored by High Lattice Energy.Can be Polar or Non-polar.
Formal Charge (F.C.):
F.C. = V - L - ½S

(V=Valence e-, L=Lone pair e-, S=Shared e-)

2. Bond Parameters

  • Bond Order: Number of bonds between two atoms. B.O. ∝ Stability ∝ Bond Energy ∝ 1/Bond Length.
  • Resonance: When a single Lewis structure cannot explain all properties. The actual structure is a Resonance Hybrid. (e.g., in Ozone, both O-O bond lengths are identical).
  • Dipole Moment (μ): Measure of polarity. μ = q × d. Unit: Debye (D).
    Resultant μ = √(μ12 + μ22 + 2μ1μ2 cosθ)

3. VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory: Shapes depend on the number of valence electron pairs around the central atom.

Repulsion Order:
Lone Pair-Lone Pair > LP-BP > Bond Pair-Bond Pair
[Image of VSEPR molecular geometries chart]
VSEPR Geometry Chart
Pairs (BP+LP)GeometryShape (if LP exists)Example
2 (2+0)LinearLinearBeCl2
3 (2+1)Trigonal PlanarBent / V-shapeSO2
4 (3+1)TetrahedralPyramidalNH3
4 (2+2)TetrahedralBent / V-shapeH2O
5 (4+1)Trigonal BipyramidalSee-SawSF4
5 (3+2)Trigonal BipyramidalT-ShapeClF3

4. VBT & Hybridization

Sigma (σ) vs Pi (π) Bond:
  • σ-bond: Head-on overlap (s-s, s-p, p-p). Stronger. Free rotation possible.
  • π-bond: Sideways overlap (p-p). Weaker. No rotation. Always present with σ.
Sigma vs Pi Bonds

Hybridization

Intermixing of atomic orbitals to form new equivalent hybrid orbitals.

How to find (Steric Number):
Z = ½ [V + M - C + A]
V = Valence e-, M = Monovalent atoms, C/A = Charge
  • sp (Z=2): Linear (180°). e.g., BeCl2, C2H2.
  • sp2 (Z=3): Trigonal Planar (120°). e.g., BCl3, C2H4.
  • sp3 (Z=4): Tetrahedral (109.5°). e.g., CH4.
  • sp3d (Z=5): Trigonal Bipyramidal. e.g., PCl5.
  • sp3d2 (Z=6): Octahedral. e.g., SF6.
  • sp3d3 (Z=7): Pentagonal Bipyramidal. e.g., IF7.
Hybridization Shapes

5. Hydrogen Bonding

Electrostatic attraction between H atom covalently bonded to highly electronegative atom (F, O, N) and another electronegative atom.

Inter-molecularBetween different molecules.
Effect: Increases BP, MP, viscosity.
Ex: H2O, HF.
Intra-molecularWithin same molecule.
Effect: Decreases BP (prevents association).
Ex: o-Nitrophenol.
[Image of Hydrogen bonding in water and ice]
Hydrogen Bonding

Numericals & HOTS

Q1. Predicting Hybridization

Determine the hybridization and geometry of the central atom in XeF4 and I3-.

Solution:
1. XeF4: H = 1/2 [8 + 4] = 6 → sp3d2.
Geometry: Octahedral; Shape: Square Planar (due to 2 lone pairs).

2. I3-: H = 1/2 [7 + 2 + 1] = 5 → sp3d.
Geometry: Trigonal Bipyramidal; Shape: Linear (due to 3 lone pairs in equatorial positions).
Q2. Formal Charge in Ozone

Calculate the formal charge on the central oxygen atom in the Ozone (O3) molecule.

Solution:
For central Oxygen:
Valence electrons (V) = 6
Lone pair electrons (L) = 2 (one pair)
Shared electrons (S) = 6 (one double bond, one single bond)
F.C. = 6 - 2 - 1/2(6) = 6 - 2 - 3 = +1.
Q3. Polarity Comparison

Why does NF3 have a much lower dipole moment (0.24 D) than NH3 (1.47 D) despite Fluorine being more electronegative than Hydrogen?

[Image comparing dipole moment vectors in NH3 and NF3]
Solution:
In NH3, the N-H bond dipoles are directed towards Nitrogen, which is in the same direction as the lone pair dipole. They reinforce each other.

In NF3, the N-F bond dipoles are directed towards Fluorine (away from Nitrogen), opposing the lone pair dipole. They partially cancel each other out.
Q4. MOT Application

Arrange the following in increasing order of bond length: O2, O2+, O2-, O22-.

Solution:
Bond Order (B.O.) calculation via MOT:
O2+: 2.5 | O2: 2.0 | O2-: 1.5 | O22-: 1.0

Concept: Bond Length ∝ 1 / Bond Order.
Higher the bond order, shorter the bond.
Order: O2+ < O2 < O2- < O22-
Q5. Melting Point Paradox

Why is SnCl4 a liquid at room temperature while SnCl2 is a high-melting solid?

Solution:
According to Fajan's Rule, higher the charge on the cation, the greater its polarizing power and covalent character.

In SnCl4, Sn is in +4 state (more covalent → weak intermolecular forces → liquid).
In SnCl2, Sn is in +2 state (more ionic → strong lattice forces → solid).
Q6. Effect of Electronegativity

Compare the bond angles of NH3 (107°) and PH3 (93.6°). Why is there such a large difference?

Solution:
1. Electronegativity: N is more EN than P. Bond pairs in NH3 are closer to N, causing higher BP-BP repulsion and opening the angle.

2. Drago's Rule: In PH3, the central atom is large and uses almost pure p-orbitals for bonding instead of sp3 hybrid orbitals. Pure p-orbitals are at 90° to each other, hence the angle is close to 90°.
Q7. Bond Length in CO32-

In the carbonate ion, there are two C-O single bonds and one C=O double bond. Yet experimental data shows all three bond lengths are equal (128 pm). Explain.

Solution:
This is due to Resonance. The double bond is not fixed on one Oxygen atom but is delocalized over all three Oxygen atoms. The actual structure is a resonance hybrid where each C-O bond has a partial double bond character (Bond Order = 1.33), making them identical.
Q8. Calculation of Bonds

Count the number of σ and π bonds in Tetracyanoethylene: (CN)2C=C(CN)2.

Solution:
Structure: Four -C≡N groups attached to C=C.
σ bonds: 5 (C-C) + 4 (C-N) = 9 σ.
π bonds: 1 (C=C) + 4 × 2 (C≡N) = 9 π.
Q9. Physical States

H2O is a liquid while H2S is a gas at room temperature, even though S has a higher molecular mass. Explain.

Solution:
Oxygen is highly electronegative and small in size, which allows H2O molecules to form strong Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds. This results in the association of molecules into a liquid state.

Sulphur has low electronegativity and cannot form H-bonds. H2S molecules are held by weak Van der Waals forces, hence it exists as a gas.
Q10. Hydration vs Lattice Energy

Why is AgF soluble in water while AgI is insoluble?

Solution:
Solubility requires: Hydration Enthalpy > Lattice Enthalpy.

F- is very small, leading to extremely high hydration energy which overcomes the lattice energy of AgF.
I- is large, and AgI has significant covalent character (Fajan's Rule), making the lattice very stable and hydration energy insufficient to break it.

Important Formulae & Trends

1. Formal Charge (F.C.)
F.C. = [V] - [L] - ½[S]

V = Valence electrons | L = Lone pair electrons | S = Shared electrons

2. Dipole Moment (μ)
μ = charge (q) × distance (d)

Resultant Dipole:

μres = √(μ12 + μ22 + 2μ1μ2cosθ)
3. Predicting Hybridization (H)
H = ½ [V + M - C + A]

V = Valence e- on central atom
M = No. of Monovalent atoms (H, F, Cl, Br, I)
C = Cationic charge | A = Anionic charge

4. Fajan's Rule (Covalent Character)

Covalent Character ∝

  • 1 / Size of Cation (Smaller cation = More covalent)
  • Size of Anion (Larger anion = More covalent)
  • Charge on Cation/Anion (Higher charge = More covalent)

20 Golden Facts (NEET)

  • 1. Dipole Moment Paradox: NH3 has a higher dipole moment than NF3. In NH3, orbital dipole and bond dipole are in same direction; in NF3, they oppose each other.
  • 2. Bond Angle Trends: Bond angle decreases as the number of Lone Pairs increases (VSEPR): CH4 (109.5°) > NH3 (107°) > H2O (104.5°).
  • 3. Resonance Hybrid: In Ozone (O3) or Carbonate (CO32-), all bond lengths are identical and intermediate between single and double bonds.
  • 4. Hybridization of Solids: PCl5 in gaseous state is sp3d (TBP), but in solid state it exists as [PCl4]+ (sp3) and [PCl6]- (sp3d2).
  • 5. Isoelectronic Molecules: Species with same no. of electrons often have same shape and bond order (e.g., CO and N2 have B.O. = 3).
  • 6. H-Bonding Strength: The order of H-bond strength is H—F > H—O > H—N, following the electronegativity of the atom.
  • 7. Ortho- vs Para- Nitrophenol: o-Nitrophenol is steam volatile due to Intramolecular H-bonding, while p-Nitrophenol has Intermolecular H-bonding and higher boiling point.
  • 8. SF4 Shape: It has 4 BPs and 1 LP. Shape is See-Saw. The lone pair always occupies an equatorial position to minimize repulsion.
  • 9. Back Bonding: BF3 is a Lewis acid, but its acidity is less than BCl3 due to pπ-pπ back bonding between B and F.
  • 10. Symmetry & Dipole: Symmetrical molecules like BF3, CCl4, SF6 have μ = 0, even if individual bonds are polar.
  • 11. Bond length in PCl5: Axial bonds are longer than equatorial bonds due to greater repulsion from equatorial bond pairs.
  • 12. Hybridization in BeCl2: In vapor phase it is sp (linear); in solid state, it polymerizes to form chloro-bridges with sp3 hybridization.
  • 13. Lattice Enthalpy: Increases with higher ionic charges and smaller ionic radii (U ∝ q1q2/r).
  • 14. Paramagnetism of O2: Cannot be explained by VBT; Molecular Orbital Theory (MOT) explains it due to two unpaired electrons in antibonding orbitals.
  • 15. Bond Order of CO+: Exceptional case; B.O. of CO is 3, but B.O. of CO+ is 3.5 (electron removed from antibonding orbital).
  • 16. Solubility: Ionic compounds are soluble in polar solvents (high dielectric constant like H2O) but insoluble in non-polar solvents.
  • 17. Coordinate Bond: Also called Dative bond. Once formed, it is indistinguishable from a regular covalent bond.
  • 18. Melting Point of NaCl: Very high because of strong non-directional electrostatic forces in the 3D crystal lattice.
  • 19. Sigma vs Pi Strength: Sigma bond is always stronger than Pi bond because head-on overlap is more effective than lateral overlap.
  • 20. Formal Charge Rule: The structure with the lowest formal charges on atoms is the most stable and preferred Lewis structure.
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