Summary of Bonding, Structure and Properties of Substances

Bonding

Structure

Ionic compounds
Ionic bonding
Transfer of electrons
Cations and anions formed
Charged particles
Cations and anions alternately
arranged in a giant ionic lattice
structure

Simple covalent molecules

Covalent bonding
Sharing of electrons
Simple molecules formed
Neutral particles
Simple discrete molecules

Giant covalent molecules

Covalent bonding
Sharing of electrons
Giant molecules formed
Neutral particles
Many atoms covalently bonded in
a giant molecular lattice structure

Metals
Metallic bonding
Atoms delocalise their valence
electrons to form positive ions and
a sea of electrons
Giant lattice of positive ions in a
sea of electrons

Oppositely charged ions are held

together by strong electrostatic
forces of attraction

Molecules are held together by

weak intermolecular (Van der
Waals) forces of attraction

Atoms are held together by strong

covalent bonding between the
atoms

Positive mdtal ions are held within

the sea of electrons by strong
electrostatic forces of attraction

Diamond used as the tip of drill

bits; for jewellery
Graphite used as a lubricant; as
electrodes in electrolysis
Silicon dioxide (silica or sand)
used as an abrasive
Poly(ethene) used to make
plastic bags and containers

N.B. At any one moment, the

metal atoms are electrically
neutral. The positive ions cannot
be isolated from the sea of
electrons
Iron used for building structures
such as bridges
Aluminium used for making
aircraft bodies; overhead cables
Copper used for making
electrical wires
Tungsten used as filament in
light bulbs

N.B. Strong covalent bonds are

within the molecule and do not
affect the physical properties of
simple covalent compounds
Examples

Sodium chloride used as a

preservative; for salting of icy
roads in winter
Magnesium oxide used as a
refractory material to line the
inside of furnaces
Aluminium oxide used in
making spark plugs

Carbon dioxide used in fire

extinguishers
Ammonia used to make
fertilisers
Methane used as a fuel
Sulphur dioxide used to make
sulphuric acid
Iodine used for tincture of iodine

Properties

Physical
states

Ionic compounds
High melting and boiling points

Simple covalent molecules

Relatively low melting and boiling
points

Giant covalent molecules

High melting and boiling points

Strong electrostatic forces of

attraction between ions are
difficult to break. Hence, lots of
energy is required.

Weak Van der Waals forces of

attraction between molecules are
easy to break. Hence, little energy
is required.

Strong covalent bonds between

atoms are difficult to break.
Hence, lots of energy is required.

Good electrical conductors when

aqueous or molten but poor
electrical conductors when solid
In aqueous or molten states, the
ions are mobile and can conduct
electricity. In solid state, the ions
are cannot move. Hence, poor
electrical conductor.
Usually soluble in water but not in
organic solvents
Water can separate the ions.
Hence, can dissolve ionic
compounds.
Insoluble ionic compounds
aluminium oxide; barium sulphate

Poor electrical conductors

Poor electrical conductors (except

graphite)

No mobile ions or electrons

(charged particles) present.
Hence, poor electrical conductor.

No mobile ions or electrons

(charged particles) present.
Hence, poor electrical conductor.

Sea of electrons contains mobile

electrons that can conduct
electricity. Hence, good electrical
conductor.

Usually insoluble in water but

soluble in organic solvents
Water cannot separate the neutral
molecules. Hence, cannot
dissolve simple covalent
compounds.
Soluble covalent compounds
sugars
-

Insoluble in water and organic

solvents
Water cannot separate the
strongly held atoms. Hence,
cannot dissolve giant covalent
compounds.

Insoluble in water or organic

solvents
Water cannot separate the
strongly held atoms. Hence,
cannot dissolve metals.

Hard (except graphite)

See comparison between
diamond and graphite.

Malleable and ductile

Layers of metal atoms can slide
over each other without breaking
the metallic bonds.

Gases, low b.p. liquids or low

m.p. solids at r.t.p.
Covalent compounds have
relatively low melting and boiling
points. Hence, gases, low b.p.
liquids or low m.p. solids at r.t.p.

Solids at r.t.p.

Usually solids at r.t.p. (except

mercury)
Metals usually have high melting
and boiling points. Hence, usually
solids at r.t.p.

Brittle
When ions are shifted from their
positions, electrostatic repulsion
occurs. Hence, ionic compound
breaks apart easily.
Solids at r.t.p.
Ionic compounds have high
melting and boiling points. Hence,
solids at r.t.p.

Giant covalent compounds have

high melting and boiling points.
Hence, solids at r.t.p.

Metals
Usually high melting and boiling
points (except Group I metals and
mercury)
Strong electrostatic forces of
attraction between positive metal
ions and sea of electrons are
difficult to break. Hence, lots of
energy is required.
Good electrical conductors

Diamond vs Graphite
Composition

Diamond
Allotrope of carbon

Graphite
Allotrope of carbon

N.B. Allotropes are different physical forms of the

same element
Structure

Appearance
Hardness

Shiny
Hardest known substance
Tetrahedral arrangement of carbon atoms in a giant
molecular lattice structure. Covalent bonds are very
strong. Hence, carbon atoms are difficult to shift.

Volatility

Very high melting and boiling points

Many strong covalent bonds between atoms.
Hence, lots of energy is required to break these
bonds.
Non-conductor
No mobile electrons present. Hence, poor electrical
conductor. All valence electrons are used in
covalent bonding in giant molecule.
Insoluble
Many atoms covalently bonded cannot be easily
separated by a solvent.
Tips of drill bits Hard
Jewellery Shiny

Electrical conductivity

Solubility
Uses

Dull
Soft and slippery
Hexagonal layered arrangement of carbon atoms in
a giant molecular lattice structure. Covalent bonds
are very strong within a layer but only weak forces
of attraction between the layers. Hence, layers of
carbon atoms can shift easily.
Very high melting and boiling points
Many strong covalent bonds between atoms.
Hence, lots of energy is required to break these
bonds.
Good conductor
Delocalised and mobile electrons in between the
layers of carbon atoms. Hence, good electrical
conductor.
Insoluble
Many atoms covalently bonded cannot be easily
separated by a solvent.
Lubricant Soft and slippery
Electrodes Good electrical conductor

Bonding Structure Properties Uses

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