The elecronegativity of an element is a measure

of the ability of an atom to attract shared pairs.

In general, metals have lower electronegativities,
while non-metals have higher electronegativities.
Na has an EN of 0,9 while F has an EN of 4.
This means that F would exert a much greater
force of attraction on a shared pair than Na.
Electronegativity
1
In the case of diatomic molecules, since both
atoms are identical and have identical
electronegativities, neither atom exerts a
greater force on the shared pair thus
forming a non-polar bond & molecule.
2
Fluorine F
2
Oxygen O
2
Nitrogen N
2
Non-polar & polar molecules
3
Sometimes pairs are not shared equally
between the atoms.
When the shared pair is closer to the one end, it
makes that end partially negative, & the other
end partially positive.
This unequal sharing is determined by the
respective electronegativities of the respective
atoms.
The higher the electronegativity, the stronger
the pull on the pair & the greater the polarity
of the bond and maybe the molecule.
4
Electronegativity increases up the groups and
increases to the right across the periods in the
periodic table.
Fluorine has the highest & Francium has the lowest
electronegativity of all the elements in the periodic
table.
The inert gases dont form
bonds so the electronegativity
concept is not applied to them.
Electronegativity & bonds
Electronegativity
5
If EN is 0,3 0,8, we classify the bond as
covalent with a weakly polar nature.
6
Biggest difference (between F & Cs) is
4 0,7 = 3,3
Smallest difference (between say 2 H atoms) is
0 0 = 0
Bonds become more polar as difference in
electronegativity increases from 0 to 3.3
Generally, bonds are considered polar covalent if
the EN difference is above 1
Ionic bonds are formed when the EN difference is
greater than 1,8 with an transfer to form ions.
Identifying types of bonds
7
Here there is an unequal sharing of 1 or more
electron pairs resulting in the formation of a
polar covalent bond.
H Cl
x
+
-
The shared pair is
closer to the Cl higher
electronegativity thus
making a polar covalent
bond between the atoms.
The molecule becomes polar as a result of the
unequal sharing of the electron pair in the
polar covalent bond. The molecule is also
polarand called a dipole.
Polar covalent bond
8
Substance bond Electronegativities difference polarity
Water O-H 3,5 2,1 1,4 polar liquid
Xylene C-H 2,5 2,1 0,4 non-polar liquid

A charged plastic ruler will attract a thin stream
of water but will not attract a thin stream of
xylene & this is because because water has
polar molecules, while xylene has non-polar
molecules & is not attracted to charged rods.
Water
9
Ionic substances dissociate into separate, mobile
ions in water & can conduct an electric current
through the solution.
Covalent substances do not form ions in solution and
can not conduct an electric current in solutions.
Classifying bond types:
Electronegativity difference type of compound
0 0,9 Covalent
0,9 2,0 Polar covalent
2,0 3,3 Ionic
Types of bonds
Polar & non-polar molecules
10
O=C=O
Non-polar linear
molecule with
polar bonds 180
0
Polar angular
molecule with polar
bonds 104,5
0
Polar pyramidal shape
with polar bonds
107,3
0
Non-polar tetrahedral
shape with polar bonds
109,5
0
N
H
H
H

-
C
H
H
H
H
O
H H

+

Bond angles of molecules
Molecules
11
To determine shapes and polarity of bonds and
the molecules, you need to consider:

1. VSEPR & shapes
2. Electronegativity & EN
3. Number of bonds
4. Number of lone pairs of
VSEPR summary
12