Covalent Bonding

• A covalent bond is the electrostatic force of attraction between two nuclei and a shared pair of electrons
• In a normal covalent bond, both atoms each contribute one electron
• In a dative covalent bond, one atom contributes both electrons
• To form a dative covalent bond, one atom must be electron deficient
• A smaller atomic radius means a stronger covalent bond as outer electrons are closer to the nucleus
• Sigma bonds are formed by a direct orbital overlap of s or p orbitals
• Pi bonds are formed by a sideways overlap of two p orbitals
• When breaking bonds, the pi bond will break first
• In a Σ bond, electron density is highest directly between the two nuclei