How are electrons distributed in a covalent bond?

sequoianoir

In a covalent bond, electron distribution may or may not be symmetrical and the electron pair may or may not be equally shared. Covalent bonds are formed as a result of the sharing of one or more pairs of bonding electrons. Each atom donates half of the electrons to be shared. This sharing of electrons is as a result of the electronegativity(electron attracting ability) of the two bonded atoms are either equal or the difference is no greater than 1.7. If the electronegativity difference is greater than 1.7 then the higher electronegative atom has an electron attracting ability large enough to force the transfer of electrons from the less electronegative atom. This would be an ionic bond. As long as the electronegativity difference is no greater than 1.7 the atoms can only share the bonding electrons. Two atoms with the same electronegativity will share the bonding electron pairs equally. As a result the bonding electrons will be evenly distributed between the bonded atoms. There will be no accumulation of bonding electrons on any one atom and the bond dipole moment will be zero. Such a co-valent bond will be called a "non-polar" bond. On the other hand, if the two bonded atoms have a different electronegativity then the bonding pairs of electrons will be shared unequally. The atom with the higher electronegativity will attract the bonding electrons closer to itself. As a result the electron distribution will be unequal and a bond dipole moment will be formed. Such a bond is referred to as a "polar bond". Sep 10 03, 5:59 PM

Brainyblonde

Yes I know mochyn, it is a family site, and I know as much about this subject as I do cricket, but this is what I was able to find rather quickly!!! LOL!!! Covalent bonds are formed as a result of the sharing of one or more pairs of bonding electrons. Each atom donates half of the electrons to be shared. This sharing of electrons is as a result of the electronegativity (electron attracting ability) of the two bonded atoms are either equal or the difference is no greater than 1.7. If the electronegativity difference is greater than 1.7 then the higher electronegative atom has an electron attracting ability large enough to force the transfer of electrons from the less electronegative atom. This would be an ionic bond. As long as the electronegativity difference is no greater than 1.7 the atoms can only share the bonding electrons. http://members.aol.com/profchm/covalent.html Sep 10 03, 6:03 PM