Unit 2.1 Molecular Compounds

How are molecular compounds different from ionic compounds?

They are composed only of non-metals

The most important thing to remember about molecular compounds is-

They share one or more pairs of electrons to form stable molecules

Are ionic or covalent bonds stronger?

Molecular

What is the purpose of sharing electrons in a covalent bond?

Means that both elements now have 8 valence electrons and are stable

When a molecular compound is dissolved does it behave like ionic compounds? What happens?

• No, they behave differently

• It does not split apart into ions but rather remains intact as molecules

If molecular compounds don’t become ions in water, what does that mean for conduction of electricity?

Since the molecules don’t split apart in water they do no conduct electricity in a solution

In a Lewis Diagram for molecules, who goes in the center? What is special about hydrogen?

• The element that appears first in the chemical formula is placed in the center

• Hydrogen will NEVER go in the middle

Organic compounds are composed mainly of various numbers of what kind of atoms?

Carbon

What makes carbon so special regarding its valence electrons?

Carbone has 4 valence elctrons which means it can form 4 strong covalent bonds

What makes carbon so special regarding itself?

• Carbon can bond with itself in a chain-like fashion

• Allows it to form long molecules with a carbon backbone

• The carbon-to-carbon bond is strong

What makes carbon so special regarding its bonds?

Carbon can form single, double, and triple bonds and form ring-like structures

Is carbon a metal or a non-metal?

Non-metal

What are the names of the 3 simplest hydrocarbon compounds? Describe their increasing shape

1. Methane (CH₄)

2. Ethane

3. Propane

• Methane has a center C and 4 H’s. Increases by adding another C and the corresponding H’s

Why are hydrocarbons called that?

Because they only contain carbon and hydrogen atoms

What is the specific, unbreakable rule about carbon?

Carbon will only ever form 4 bonds (no more, no less, only 4)

Using propane (C₃H₈), describe what the “condensed structural formula is”

• Like a written form of the drawing

• CH₃ - CH₂ - CH₃