AS WS 10.

3(1)

WORKSHEET ON CHEMICAL BONDING

IONIC BONDING
Ions are formed where electrons are transferred from the valence shell of one atom (usually a
metal) to the valence shell of another atom (non-metal) so that both end up with Noble Gas
configurations. Assume, in the first instance, that compounds between reactive metals and
reactive non-metals will be ionic.
When drawing “dot and cross” diagrams, show each ion separately in square brackets with
the charge outside at the top right hand corner.
1) Draw “before” and “after” diagrams (outer electrons only) to show how ionic bonding
takes place in the following compounds:-
a) Lithium fluoride – LiF
b) Magnesium sulphide – MgS
c) Calcium chloride – CaCl2
d) Sodium oxide – Na2O
e) Aluminium oxide – Al2O3
f) Magnesium nitride – Mg3N2

COVALENT BONDING
Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electron pairs between two atoms. This is most
often between non-metal atoms (but there are a number of compounds between metals and
non-metals that are covalent). A single covalent bond involves one shared pair of electrons.
In many compounds, atoms will share electrons to enable their valence shell to become like
the nearest Noble Gas. This is normally 8 electrons (the “Octet Rule”), apart from Hydrogen.
There are exceptions (see next section).
2) Draw “dot and cross” diagrams (outer electrons only) to show the bonding in the
following covalent molecules:-
a) Hydrogen fluoride – HF
b) Chlorine – Cl2
c) Oxygen – O2
d) Nitrogen – N2
e) Silicon tetrachloride – SiCl4
f) Ammonia – NH3
g) Carbon dioxide – CO2
h) Hydrogen cyanide – HCN
i) Ethane – C2H6
j) Ethene – C2H4

1
AS WS 10.3(1)

BREAKING THE OCTET RULE

Some molecules are formed where one of the atoms does not have 8 electrons in the valence
shell. A few have fewer than 8 (are electron deficient) and some have more than 8 (expanded
octet). Elements in the second Period of the Periodic Table (Li to Ne) are restricted to 8
electrons maximum when bonding. There are only the 2s and 2p subshells in this energy
level. The next available empty energy level is the 3s, which is too far away to use (would
cost too much energy). Elements in the third Period (Na to Ar) have the 3d subshell with 5
empty orbitals nearby, so not much energy is required to promote electrons from the 3p or 3s
into these. This enables more bonds to be made and the octet to be expanded. The same
applies for elements in other Periods too (since energy levels get closer and closer at higher
levels).

3) Draw “dot and cross” diagrams (outer electrons only) to show the bonding in the
following covalent molecules:-
a) Boron trifluoride – BF3
b) Beryllium chloride – BeCl2 (yes, it is covalent!)
c) How many electrons are now in the valence shells
i) of the B atom in the molecule BF3?
ii) of the Be atom in the molecule of BeCl2?
d) Explain why it is not possible for these two atoms to obtain an octet.

4) Draw “dot and cross” diagrams (outer electrons only) to show the bonding in the
following covalent molecules:-
a) Phosphorus pentachloride – PCl5
b) Sulphur hexafluoride – SF6
c) Sulphur dioxide – SO2
d) Sulphur trioxide – SO3
e) Iodine heptafluoride – IF7
f) Xenon dioxide – XeO2

DATIVE (CO-ORDINATE) COVALENT BONDING

You have seen in question 3 that some molecules have atoms which are electron deficient.
Positive ions also have “missing” electrons. You have also seen that some molecules have
non-bonding pairs of electrons (lone pairs). These molecules can donate their lone pair of
electrons into the empty orbital of an atom or ion. An extra covalent bond can then be
formed.
5) Draw “dot and cross” diagrams (outer electrons only) to show the bonding in the
following covalent molecules or ions which contain dative bonds. Indicate the dative
bonds clearly on your diagrams.
a) The ammonium ion – NH4+
b) The hydroxonium ion – H3O+
c) The compound formed between BF3 and NH3
d) Once a dative covalent bond has been formed, is there any difference between this and an
“ordinary” covalent bond?
e) Does making a dative bond using the lone pair of electrons on the N atom in ammonia
break the “octet rule” for the N atom? Explain.