Chemistry - Covalent Compounds

Single Covalent Bond

A type of chemical bond where two atoms share one pair of electrons. This bond typically occurs between nonmetal atoms.

Lone pair of electrons

A pair of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom in a covalent bond.

Coordinate Bond

A type of covalent bond where one atom donates both electrons to the bond, forming a connection with another atom.

Covalent bond length

The distance between the nuclei of two bonded atoms in a covalent bond, typically measured in picometers or angstroms.

Resonance Structures

Different ways to represent a molecule where electrons are delocalized, showing multiple valid Lewis structures.

Expanded octet

A situation in which an atom has more than eight electrons in its valence shell, allowing for the formation of more bonds than typically allowed by the octet rule.

Formal charge

The charge assigned to an atom in a molecule, calculated by the difference between the number of valence electrons and the number of electrons assigned to that atom in a Lewis structure.

Unbonded electrons

Electrons in the valence shell that are not involved in bonding, also known as lone pairs.

Bond Number

The total number of bonds formed by an atom in a molecule, including single, double, and triple bonds.