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NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 4 Notes Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure - Download PDF

NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 4 Notes Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure - Download PDF

Edited By Shivani Poonia | Updated on Jul 11, 2025 09:03 AM IST

Have you ever wondered why the shape of a molecule influences its behaviour in chemical reactions? Why do atoms combine to form molecules? Why do certain elements react violently while others remain stable? What makes water such a stable compound while sodium and chlorine alone are highly reactive? The answer lies in chemical bonding and molecular structure. This chapter explains how atoms combine to form compounds and how the arrangement of atoms affects a substance's properties. It also explains that the way atoms bond together, whether through ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds, determines the strength, flexibility, and reactivity of the resulting compound. Apart from this Chemical Bonding explains about properties of chemical bonds, types of bonds, their nature, formation, and the molecular structure of different compounds.

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  1. NCERT Notes for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 4 Download PDF
  2. NCERT Notes for Class 11 Chapter 4
  3. Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure: Previous Years' Questions and Answers
  4. NCERT Notes Class 11 Chapter-Wise
  5. NCERT Exemplar Solutions Subject-Wise
  6. NCERT Solutions Subject-Wise
  7. NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus
NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 4 Notes Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure - Download PDF
NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 4 Notes Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure - Download PDF

The NCERT Notes Class 11 Chemistry will be helpful for a quick revision of topics. These notes are designed by our experienced subject matter experts, which ensures the credibility of the content provided. It becomes difficult and time-consuming for students to read the NCERT textbooks point-to-point. So, to solve this problem, we are providing these NCERT notes that cover all the topics and concepts provided in the NCERT textbook in a very clear and comprehensive way. These Class 11 Chapter 4 notes are also valuable resources for various competitive exams like JEE, NEET, etc. Also, check the NCERT Solutions for all the chapters.

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NCERT Notes for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 4 Download PDF

These concise NCERT notes cover all the key concept of chapter 4 to help students in quick revision before exam. You can download NCERT notes pdf from the button given below:

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NCERT Notes for Class 11 Chapter 4

This chapter explains several basic concepts of Chemistry that help students develop a strong base in the subject, which will help them not just in Board exams but also in competitive exams like JEE and NEET. Some of the main topics covered in Class 11 Chapter 4 notes are KÖssel-Lewis’s approach to chemical bonding, the octet rule, and Limitations Of The Octet Rule, drawing Lewis Electron Dot Structures, VSEPR Theory, Valence Bond Theory, Molecular Orbital Theory of homonuclear diatomic molecules, and concepts of Hydrogen Bonding.

Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure: Introduction

Chemical Bond: A Chemical bond is formed when various constituents are held together in chemical species by the force of attraction.

Type of intermolecular forces

1. Ion - dipole

2. Ion-induced dipole or debye forces

3. Dispersion forces or London forces

4. Dipole-dipole force

5. Hydrogen bonding

KÖssel-Lew Approach to Chemical Bonding

  • In the periodic table, noble gases separate the highly electronegative halogens from the highly electropositive alkali metals.

  • The formation of a negative ion from a halogen atom is with the gain of an electron and a positive ion from an alkali metal atom is with the loss of an electron.

  • The negative and positive ions formed attain stable noble gas electronic configurations. The noble gases (except helium,ns2) have a stable outer shell configuration of eight electrons,ns2np6.

  • Electrostatic attraction stabilizes the negative and positive ions.

Electrovalent bond: The bond is formed, as a result of the electrostatic attraction between the positive and negative ions.

Ionic bond: The bond is formed when an atom loses an electron and another atom gains an electron.

Electronic theory of chemical bonding: It states that atoms can combine either by sharing valence electrons or by transfer of valence electrons from one atom to another, so as to have an octet in their valence shells. This is known as the octet rule.

Covalent bond: It is a bond that is formed when two atoms share a pair of electrons between them. Molecules can have a single covalent bond, a double bond, or even a triple bond.

Lewis Representation of Simple Molecules (the Lewis Structures)

In terms of shared pairs of electrons and the octet rule, the Lewis dot structures depict bonding in molecules and ions. Electrons are represented by the dots. Such structures are called Lewis dot structures.

The number of electrons present in the outermost shell are known as valence electrons. For example, the electronic configuration of sodium (Na) is 2, 8, 1, thus, sodium has one valence electron. According to the long form of the periodic table, in the case of representative elements, the group number is equal to the number of valence electrons. The valence electrons in atoms are shown in terms of Lewis symbols. To write Lewis symbol for an element, we write down its symbol surrounded by a number of dots or crosses equal to the number of valence electrons. Paired and unpaired valence electrons are also indicated.

For example, lewis dot structure of the water molecule:

1648798218591

Formal Charge

Lewis dot structures do not represent the real shapes of molecules. In polyatomic ions, the net charge is held by the ion as a whole, rather than by a single atom. However, possible to give each atom a formal charge. The formal charge of an atom is the difference between the number of valence electrons of an atom in an isolated or free state and the number of electrons assigned to that atom in the Lewis structure.

Thus, we calculate the formal charge as follows:

formal charge = valence shell electrons − lone pair electrons − 1/2 bonding electrons

Limitations of the Octet Rule

1. Sometimes the number of electrons around the central atom is less than eight, hence resulting in an incomplete octet of the central atom.

2. In certain molecules, such as NO there is an odd number of electrons which results in an incomplete octet of the atoms.

3. Sometimes the number of electrons around the central atom is more than eight, hence resulting in an expanded octet of the central atom.

Lattice Enthalpy: The Lattice Enthalpy is an ionic solid is defined as the formation of one mole or change of ionic compound in its gaseous ions which keeps all the other things standard. We can say that to check the strength of an ionic compound, lattice enthalpy is used.

Bond Parameters

Bond Length: It is the distance between the nuclei of two bonded atoms of a molecule. Or we can say that it is the sum of two bonded atoms covalent radii.

Bond Angle: It is the angle made in between two covalent bonds which are having the same origin from a similar atom.

Bond Enthalpy: It is the amount of energy needed to separate all the covalent bonds of a specific type. This exists in between two atoms in a gaseous state.

Bond Order: It is the number of bonds a molecule has between two atoms.

Resonance Structures

Resonance is a concept wherein, whenever a single Lewis structure cannot describe the structure of a molecule, then various possible canonical structures are used to accurately describe the molecule, which are called Resonance Structures.

Polarity of Bonds

In heteronuclear bonds, the shared electron pair shifts towards the more electronegative atom, resulting in polarity between the atoms, and the molecule is said to be a polar molecule.

Due to polarity, the molecule develops a Dipole Moment, which is defined as the product of charge and distance of separation between the two bonded atoms.

Dipole moment(µ):

IT is vector sum of all the individual bond moments

Mathematically μ=q×d

q= magnitude of charge

d= distance between the centres of opposite charge

It is denoted by a small arrow with a tail on the positive centre and head pointing towards negative center

Fazan’s Rule and Covalent Character in Ionic Bond :

The covalent character in ionic bonds is determined by Fajan’s Rule. It simply says that no ionic bond is completely ionic, there is always some covalent character in ionic bond. When a cation approaches an anion, then the electron cloud of the anion is distorted and shifted towards the cation, this distortion is known as the polarisation of the anion.

The ability of the cation to distort the anion is known as polarising power and the ability of the anion to get distorted is known as polarisability.

The covalent character in ionic bond depends on the following factors:

  • Size of the cation: Smaller the size of the cation, larger will be its polarisability.
  • Size of the anion: Larger the size of the anion, larger will be its polarisability.
  • Charge on cation and anion: More the charge on cation more will be its polarising power. Further, more the charge on anion, more will be its polarisability.

Thus covalent character for chlorides follows this order:

NaCl < MgCl2 < AlCl3

In this case, the charge on the cation increases, thus its polarising power also increases.

Further, for cation size, the covalent character follows the below order:

LiCl > NaCl > KCl > CsCl

In this case, as the size of the cation increases, its polarising power decreases.

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR Theory)

The VSEPR Theory predicts the shape of the covalent molecules.

Below are the postulates of this theory:

  1. The number of valence shell electron pairs decides the shape of a molecule around the central atom.

  2. Pairs of electrons in the valence shell repel one another because of the negatively charged electron clouds.

  3. The pairs of electrons occupy such positions in space where there is minimum repulsion so it maximises the distance between them.

  4. The valence shell is assumed as a sphere with the electron pairs present on the spherical surface at a maximum distance from one another.

  5. Multiple bonds are considered as a single electron pair and the two/three electron pairs of multiple bonds are taken as a single super pair.

  6. When two or more resonance structures represent a molecule, the VSEPR theory is applied to any such structure.

The repulsive interaction of electron pairs is given as:

Lone pair – Lone pair > Lone pair – Bond pair > Bond pair – Bond pair.

As given in the table below, two regions of electron density around a central atom in a molecule form a linear geometry, three regions form a trigonal planar geometry, four regions form a tetrahedral geometry, five regions form a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, and six regions form an octahedral geometry.

A table with four rows and six columns is shown. The header column contains the phrases, “Number of regions,” “Spatial arrangement,” “Wedge/dash Notation,” and “Electron pair Geometry.” The first row reads: “Two regions of high electron density ( bonds and/or unshared pairs )”, “Three regions of high electron density ( bonds and/or unshared pairs ),” “Four regions of high electron density ( bonds and/or unshared pairs ),” “Five regions of high electron density ( bonds and/or unshared pairs ),” and “Six regions of high electron density ( bonds and/or unshared pairs ).” The second row shows diagrams of orbitals. The first image shows two oval-shaped orbs with an arrow indicating an angle of 180 degrees. The second image shows three oval-shaped orbs with an arrow indicating an angle of 120 degrees. The third image shows four oval-shaped orbs with an arrow indicating an angle of 109.5 degrees. The fourth image shows five oval-shaped orbs with an arrow indicating an angle of 90 and 120 degrees. The fifth image shows six oval-shaped orbs with an arrow indicating an angle of 90 degrees. The third row contains Lewis structures. The first structure shows a beryllium atom single bonded to two hydrogen atoms. The second structure shows a boron atom single bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The third structure shows a carbon atom single bonded to four hydrogen atoms. The fourth structure shows a phosphorus atom single bonded to five fluorine atoms. The fifth structure shows a sulfur atom single bonded to six fluorine atoms. The fourth row contains the phrases “Linear; 180 degree angle,” Trigonal Planar; all angles 120 degrees,” “Tetrahedral; all angles 109.5 degrees,” “Trigonal bipyramidal; angles of 90 degrees and 120 degrees. An attached atom may be equatorial, ( in the plane of the triangle ), or axial, ( above the plane of the triangle ),” and “Octahedral; 90 degrees or 180 degrees.”

The ideal shapes of molecules, which are predicted on the basis of electron pairs and lone pairs of electrons are mentioned in the table below:A table is shown that is comprised of six rows and six columns. The header row reads: “Number of Electron Pairs,” “Electron pair geometries; 0 lone pair,” “1 lone pair,” “2 lone pairs,” “3 lone pairs,” and “4 lone pairs.” The first column contains the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The first space in the second column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on each side. The angle of the bonds is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “180 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Linear.” The second space in the second column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on three sides. The angle between the bonds is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “120 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Trigonal planar.” The third space in the second column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X four times. The angle between the bonds is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “109 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Tetrahedral.” The fourth space in the second column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on five sides. The angle between the bonds is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the values “90 and 120 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Trigonal bipyramid.” The fifth space in the second column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on six sides. The angle between the bonds is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “90 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Octahedral.” The first space in the third column is empty while the second contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on each side and has a lone pair of electrons. The angle between the bonds is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “less than 120 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Bent or angular.” The third space in the third column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X three times and to a lone pair of electrons. It is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “less than 109 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Trigonal pyramid.” The fourth space in the third column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on four sides and has a lone pair of electrons. The bond angle is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the values, “less than 90 and less than 120 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Sawhorse or seesaw.” The fifth space in the third column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on five sides and has a lone pair of electrons. The bond angle is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “less than 90 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Square pyramidal.” The first and second spaces in the fourth column are empty while the third contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on each side and has two lone pairs of electrons. The bond angle is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “less than less than 109 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Bent or angular.” The fourth space in the fourth column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X three times and to two lone pairs of electrons. The bond angle is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “less than 90 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “T - shape.” The fifth space in the fourth column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on four sides and has two lone pairs of electrons. The bond angle is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value “90 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Square planar.” The first, second and third spaces in the fifth column are empty while the fourth contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on each side and has three lone pairs of electrons. The bond angle is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “180 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Linear.” The fifth space in the fifth column contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X three times and to three lone pairs of electrons. The bond angle is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value, “less than 90 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “T - shape.” The first, second, third, and fourth spaces in the sixth column are empty while the fifth contains a structure in which the letter E is single bonded to the letter X on each side and has four lone pairs of electrons. The bond angle is labeled with a curved, double headed arrow and the value “180 degrees.” The structure is labeled, “Linear.” All the structures use wedges and dashes to give them three dimensional appearances.

Valence Bond Theory

When two atoms approach each other, at a large distance there is no force; however, as the molecule starts approaching closer, they experience a force of attraction, and after a certain distance, when the two atoms come close enough, they experience a repulsive force.

So, when two atoms approach each other and form a bond, energy is released, and this energy is called bond enthalpy.

Orbital Overlap Concept

Two hydrogen atoms come close enough that their atomic orbitals partially merge during the formation of a hydrogen molecule. This process is known as orbital overlapping. This allows the electrons from each atom to pair up with opposite spins, resulting in the formation of a covalent bond. The strength of this bond depends on the extent of overlap — the greater the overlap, the stronger the bond.

Directional Properties of Bonds

Covalent bonds are formed through the overlap of atomic orbitals, as we have seen in the hydrogen molecule, where two hydrogen atoms bond by overlapping their 1s orbitals. In polyatomic molecules like CH4, NH3, and H2O, understanding the molecular shape becomes equally important. For example, why does methane (CH4) adopt a tetrahedral structure, and why does ammonia (NH3) have a pyramidal shape? These questions are explained by Valence Bond Theory. VBT describes how atomic orbitals not only overlap but also undergo hybridisation.

Overlapping of Atomic Orbitals

When two atomic orbitals come close to form a bond, the nature of their overlap depends on the phase (sign) and spatial orientation of their wave functions, whether it is positive, negative, or zero. To form an effective bond, the orbitals must have the same phase and be properly aligned in space.

Types of Overlapping and Nature of Covalent Bonds

Sigma(σ) bond: Also called head-on overlap or axial overlap, this type of covalent bond is formed when the bonding orbitals overlap end to end along the internuclear axis.

• s-s overlapping: The type of overlapping can be seen in half-filled s-orbitals of one atom and half-filled s-orbitals of another atom.

• s-p overlapping: The type of overlapping can be seen in half-filled s-orbitals of one atom and half-filled p-orbitals of another atom.

• p–p overlapping: The type of overlapping can be seen in p-orbitals of the two approaching atoms.

Pi Bonds: The type of overlapping can be seen in a covalent bond that is formed when the bonding orbitals overlap sideways, such that their axes are parallel to each other but perpendicular to the internuclear axis.

Strength of Sigma and Pi Bonds

The strength of a bond depends on the extent of overlapping. The sigma bond is stronger as compared to the pi bond because the overlapping of orbitals takes place to a larger extent in the sigma bond. It is important to note that in the formation of multiple bonds between two atoms of a molecule, pi bonds (s) are formed in addition to a sigma bond.

Hybridization

The features of hybridisation are:

1. The number of hybrid orbitals is equal to the number of atomic orbitals that hybridize.

2. The hybridized orbitals are always the same in energy and shape.

3. The hybrid orbitals form more stable bonds than pure atomic orbitals.

4. The hybrid orbitals are directed in a minimum repulsion space, giving a stable arrangement.

Types of Hybridisation

sp hybridization: This hybridization involves the mixing of one s and one p orbital to form equivalent sp hybrid orbitals.

sp2 hybridization: This hybridization involves the mixing of one and two p-orbitals to form three equivalent sp2 hybridized orbitals.

sp3 hybridization: This hybridization involves the mixing of one s-orbital and three p-orbitals of the valence shell to form four sp3 hybrid orbitals.

dsp2hybridization: This hybridization involves the mixing of one d-orbital, one s-orbital, and two p-orbitals of the valence shell to form four dsp2hybrid orbitals.

d2sp3 hybridization: This hybridization involves the mixing of two d-orbitals, one s-orbital, and three p-orbitals of the valence shell to form six d2sp3 hybrid orbitals.

sp3dhybridisation: This hybridization involves the mixing of one s-orbital, three p-orbitals, and one d-orbital to form five sp3dhybrid orbitals.

sp3d2hybridisation: This hybridization involves the mixing of one s-orbital, three p-orbitals, and two d-orbitals to form six sp3d2hybrid orbitals.

Other Examples of sp3, sp2 and sp Hybridisation

sp3 Hybridisation in C2H6 molecule: To form a sp3-sp3 sigma bond, both the carbon atoms assume a sp3 hybrid state. One of the four sp3 hybrid orbitals of a carbon atom overlaps axially with similar orbitals of other atoms in the ethane molecule, while the other three hybrid orbitals of each carbon atom are used in forming sp3–s sigma bonds with hydrogen atoms.

sp2 Hybridisation in C2H4: To form the C-C sigma bond, one of the sp2 hybrid orbitals of the carbon atom overlaps axially with the sp2 hybridised orbital of another carbon atom in the formation of the ethene molecule. While the other two sp2 hybrid orbitals of each carbon atom are used for making sp2–s sigma bond with two hydrogen atoms.

sp Hybridisation in C2H2 : In the formation of the ethyne molecule, both the carbon atoms undergo sp-hybridisation, having two unhybridised orbitals, i.e., 2py and 2px.

Hybridisation of Elements Involving d Orbitals

The elements present in the third period contain d orbitals. The energy of the 3d orbitals is comparable to the energy of the 3s and 3p orbitals. The energy of 3d orbitals is also comparable to that of 4s and 4p orbitals. As a consequence, the hybridisation involving either 3s, 3p and 3d or 3d, 4s and 4p is possible. However, since the difference in energies of 3p and 4s orbitals is significant, no hybridisation involving 3p, 3d and 4s orbitals is possible.

Molecular Orbital Theory

  1. As the electrons of atoms are present in the various atomic orbitals, in the same way, the electrons in a molecule are present in the various molecular orbitals.

  2. The molecular orbitals are formed by the combination of atomic orbitals that have comparable energies and proper symmetry.

  3. A nucleus influences an electron in an atomic orbital, however, in a molecular orbital, it is influenced by two or more nuclei. Therefore, an atomic orbital is monocentric and a molecular orbital is polycentric.

  4. The number of molecular orbitals is equal to the number of combining atomic orbitals. Two atomic orbitals combine to form two molecular orbitals, where one is a bonding molecular orbital and the other is an antibonding molecular orbital.

  5. The bonding molecular orbital has lower energy, and the antibonding molecular orbital has more energy; hence, it is less stable.

  6. In an atom, an atomic orbital gives the electron probability distribution around a nucleus, and in a molecule molecular orbital gives the electron probability distribution around a group of nuclei.

  7. The molecular orbitals are also filled in accordance with the following rules and principles: the Aufbau principle, Pauli’s exclusion principle, and Hund’s rule.

Molecular orbitals are formed by a Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) where atomic orbitals have the same energy or nearly the same, the same symmetry and the overlap is maximum.

Formation of Molecular Orbitals: Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO)

The atomic orbitals can be expressed by wave functions (ψ’s) according to wave mechanics, which represent the amplitude of the electron waves. These are obtained from the solution of the Schrödinger wave equation. Since it cannot be solved for any system containing more than one electron, molecular orbitals, which are one-electron wave functions for molecules, are difficult to obtain directly from the solution of the Schrödinger wave equation. To overcome this problem, an approximate method known as linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) has been adopted.

Wave functions of individual atomic orbitals as shown below:

ΨMO=ΨA±ΨB

The two molecular orbitals σ and σ* are formed as :

σ=ΨA+ΨB

σ=ΨAΨB

The molecular orbital σ formed by the addition of atomic orbitals is called the bonding molecular orbital, while the molecular orbital σ* formed by the subtraction of atomic orbitals is called the antibonding molecular orbital.

Conditions for the Combination of Atomic Orbitals

1. The combining atomic orbitals must have the same or nearly the same energy.

2. The combining atomic orbitals must have the same symmetry about the molecular axis.

3. The combining atomic orbitals must overlap to the maximum extent.

Types of Molecular Orbitals

Molecular orbitals of diatomic molecules are designated as σ (sigma), π (pi), δ (delta), etc. In this nomenclature, the sigma (σ ) molecular orbitals are symmetrical around the bond axis, while the pi ( π) molecular orbitals are not symmetrical.

Energy Level Diagram for Molecular Orbitals

The relative energy levels of atomic and molecular orbitals are typically shown in a molecular orbital diagram. As given in the figure below, for a diatomic molecule, the atomic orbitals of one atom are shown on the left, and those of the other atom are shown on the right. Each horizontal line represents one orbital that can hold two electrons. The molecular orbitals formed by the combination of the atomic orbitals are shown in the centre. Dashed lines show which of the atomic orbitals combine to form the molecular orbitals. For each pair of atomic orbitals that combine, one lower-energy (bonding) molecular orbital and one higher-energy (antibonding) orbital result. Thus, we can see that combining the six 2p atomic orbitals results in three bonding orbitals (one σ and two π) and three antibonding orbitals (one σ* and two π*).

22A diagram is shown that has an upward-facing vertical arrow running along the left side labeled, “E.” At the bottom center of the diagram is a horizontal line labeled, “sigma subscript 2 s,” that has two vertical half arrows drawn on it, one facing up and one facing down. This line is connected to the right and left by upward-facing, dotted lines to two more horizontal lines, each labeled, “2 s.” The line on the left has two vertical half arrows drawn on it, one facing up and one facing down while the line of the right has one half arrow facing up drawn on it. These two lines are connected by upward-facing dotted lines to another line in the center of the diagram, but further up from the first. It is labeled, “sigma subscript 2 s superscript asterisk.” This horizontal line has one upward-facing vertical half-arrow drawn on it. Moving farther up the center of the diagram is a long horizontal line labeled, “sigma subscript 2 p subscript x,” which lies below two horizontal lines. These two horizontal lines lie side-by-side, and labeled, “pi subscript 2 p subscript y,” and, “pi subscript 2 p subscript z.” Both the bottom and top lines are connected to the right and left by upward-facing, dotted lines to three more horizontal lines, each labeled, “2 p.” These sets of lines are connected by upward-facing dotted lines to another single line and then pair of double lines in the center of the diagram, but farther up from the lower lines. They are labeled, “sigma subscript 2 p subscript x superscript asterisk,” and, ““pi subscript 2 p subscript y superscript asterisk,” and, “pi subscript 2 p subscript z superscript asterisk,” respectively. The left and right sides of the diagram have headers that read, ”Atomic orbitals,” while the center is header reads “Molecular orbitals”.

molecular orbital diagram

The molecular orbitals are filled in the same manner as atomic orbitals, using the Aufbau principle and Hund’s rule.

Electronic Configuration and Molecular Behaviour

The distribution of electrons among various molecular orbitals is called the electronic configuration of the molecule.

Stability of Molecules: If Nb is the number of electrons occupying bonding orbitals and Na the number occupying the antibonding orbitals then,

  • The molecule is stable if Nb is greater than Na
  • The molecule is unstable if Nb is less than Na.

Nature of the bond:

  • Integral bond order values of 1, 2 or 3 correspond to single.
  • Double or triple bonds respectively as studied in the classical concept.

Bond-length: It may be taken as an approximate measure of the bond length.

  • The bond length decreases as bond order increases.

Magnetic nature:

  • If all the molecular orbitals in a molecule are doubly occupied, the substance is diamagnetic.
  • If one or more molecular orbitals are singly occupied it is paramagnetic e.g., O2 molecule.

Bonding in Some Homonuclear Diatomic Molecules

1. Hydrogen molecule (H2 ): It is formed by the combination of two hydrogen atoms. Each hydrogen atom has one electron in the 1s orbital. The electronic configuration of the hydrogen molecule is

H2 : (σ1s)2

2. Helium molecule (He2 ): The electronic configuration of helium atom is 1s2. Each helium atom contains 2 electrons. These electrons will be accommodated in σ1s and σ*1s molecular orbitals; therefore electronic configuration of helium molecules is

He2 : (σ1s)2 (σ*1s)2

3. Lithium molecule (Li2 ): The electronic configuration of lithium is 1s2, 2s1. There are six electrons in Li2. Therefore, electronic configuration of Li2 molecule is

Li2 : (σ1s)2 (σ*1s)2 (σ2s)2

Hydrogen Bonding

Hydrogen bonds are strong forces which occur when a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom approaches a nearby electronegative atom, such as O, N, F, etc. A greater electronegativity of the atom will result in an increase in hydrogen-bond strength. The hydrogen bond is a stronger intermolecular force, but it is weaker than a covalent or an ionic bond. Hydrogen Bonding is responsible for holding together DNA, proteins, and other macromolecules.

Formation of Hydrogen Bond

A hydrogen bond is an electromagnetic attraction that occurs between a partially positively charged hydrogen atom attached to a highly electronegative atom and another nearby electronegative atom. A hydrogen bond is a type of dipole-dipole interaction; it is not a true chemical bond. This hydrogen bond attraction can occur between different molecules (intermolecularly) or within different parts of a single molecule (intramolecularly).

Types of Hydrogen Bonding

There are two types of hydrogen bonding, i.e:

  • Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding: Intermolecular hydrogen bonding occurs when the H-atom of one molecule and an electronegative atom of another molecule are close to each other. For example, hydrogen bonds exist between the molecules of hydrogen fluoride. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding results in an association of molecules. Thus, it increases the melting point, boiling point, solubility, etc.

  • Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding: Intramolecular hydrogen bonding occurs between the hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom of the same molecule. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding results in the cyclisation of the molecules and prevents their association. Thus, the properties of these compounds, like melting point, boiling point, etc,. are usually low. For example, intramolecular hydrogen bonding is present in molecules such as o-nitrophenol, o-nitrobenzoic acid, etc.

Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure: Previous Years' Questions and Answers

Some important previous years' questions are given below:

Question 1. In SO2,NO2and N3the hybridizations at the central atom are respectively :

Options

i) sp2,sp2 and sp

ii) sp2,sp and sp

iii) sp2,sp2 and sp2

iv) sp,sp2 and sp

Answer:

SO22σ bond +1 l.p. sp2 hybridisation

NO22σ bond +1 l.p. sp2 hybridisation

N32σ bond sp hybridisation

Hence, the correct answer is option (1).

Question 2. Among SO2,NF3,NH3,XeF2,ClF3 and SF4, the hybridisation of the molecule with non-zero dipole moment and the highest number of lone-pairs of electrons on the central atom is

Options

i) sp3

ii) dsp2

iii) sp3 d2

iv) sp3 d

Answer:

Molecule

Hybridisation

Dipole Moment

Lone pair on the

central atom

SO2

sp2

Non - zero

1

NF3

sp3

Non - zero

1

NH3

sp3

Non - zero

1

XeF2

sp3 d

zero

3

C F3

sp3 d

Non - zero

2

SF4

sp3 d

Non - zero

1

  • ClF3 has 2 lone pair and a non-zero dipole moment, the highest among molecules with a dipole
  • XeF2 has 3 lone pair but zero dipole moment due to linear symmetry

Hence, the correct answer is option (iv)

Question 3. Which hybridisation leads to a trigonal planar shape?

(1) sp
(2) sp2
(3) sp3
(4) dsp2

Answer:

sp2 hybridisation involves 3 hybrid orbitals arranged in a plane at 120° angles, which leads to a trigonal planar geometry (for example, BF3).

Hence, the correct answer is option (2).

NCERT Notes Class 11 Chapter-Wise

NCERT Class 11 chapter-wise notes are given below:

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Subject-Wise

NCERT Exemplar Subject-wise solutions are given below:

NCERT Solutions Subject-Wise

NCERT Subject-wise solutions are given below:

NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus

The NCERT books and syllabus links for class 11 are given below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is chemical bonding?

Chemical bonding refers to the way atoms join to form compounds. The main types are: Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, and Metallic Bonding.

2. What is the difference between bonding and antibonding orbitals?

Bonding orbitals are formed by constructive overlap, which stabilizes the molecule and strengthens the bond. Meanwhile, antibonding orbitals are formed by destructive overlap, which weakens the molecule and reduces bond strength.

3. How do lone pairs affect bond angles?

Lone pairs reduce bond angles by creating repulsion that pushes bonding pairs closer together that causing the angles to be smaller than expected.

4. What is resonance ?

Resonance in chemistry refers to the delocalization of electrons in a molecule, where the actual structure is a blend of two or more possible structures (called resonance forms) rather than a single fixed structure.

5. How do bond parameters affect molecular structure?

Bond parameters affect molecular structure by determining the Bond Length, Bond Angle, and Bond Energy.

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A block of mass 0.50 kg is moving with a speed of 2.00 ms-1 on a smooth surface. It strikes another mass of 1.00 kg and then they move together as a single body. The energy loss during the collision is

Option 1)

0.34\; J

Option 2)

0.16\; J

Option 3)

1.00\; J

Option 4)

0.67\; J

A person trying to lose weight by burning fat lifts a mass of 10 kg upto a height of 1 m 1000 times.  Assume that the potential energy lost each time he lowers the mass is dissipated.  How much fat will he use up considering the work done only when the weight is lifted up ?  Fat supplies 3.8×107 J of energy per kg which is converted to mechanical energy with a 20% efficiency rate.  Take g = 9.8 ms−2 :

Option 1)

2.45×10−3 kg

Option 2)

 6.45×10−3 kg

Option 3)

 9.89×10−3 kg

Option 4)

12.89×10−3 kg

 

An athlete in the olympic games covers a distance of 100 m in 10 s. His kinetic energy can be estimated to be in the range

Option 1)

2,000 \; J - 5,000\; J

Option 2)

200 \, \, J - 500 \, \, J

Option 3)

2\times 10^{5}J-3\times 10^{5}J

Option 4)

20,000 \, \, J - 50,000 \, \, J

A particle is projected at 600   to the horizontal with a kinetic energy K. The kinetic energy at the highest point

Option 1)

K/2\,

Option 2)

\; K\;

Option 3)

zero\;

Option 4)

K/4

In the reaction,

2Al_{(s)}+6HCL_{(aq)}\rightarrow 2Al^{3+}\, _{(aq)}+6Cl^{-}\, _{(aq)}+3H_{2(g)}

Option 1)

11.2\, L\, H_{2(g)}  at STP  is produced for every mole HCL_{(aq)}  consumed

Option 2)

6L\, HCl_{(aq)}  is consumed for ever 3L\, H_{2(g)}      produced

Option 3)

33.6 L\, H_{2(g)} is produced regardless of temperature and pressure for every mole Al that reacts

Option 4)

67.2\, L\, H_{2(g)} at STP is produced for every mole Al that reacts .

How many moles of magnesium phosphate, Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2} will contain 0.25 mole of oxygen atoms?

Option 1)

0.02

Option 2)

3.125 × 10-2

Option 3)

1.25 × 10-2

Option 4)

2.5 × 10-2

If we consider that 1/6, in place of 1/12, mass of carbon atom is taken to be the relative atomic mass unit, the mass of one mole of a substance will

Option 1)

decrease twice

Option 2)

increase two fold

Option 3)

remain unchanged

Option 4)

be a function of the molecular mass of the substance.

With increase of temperature, which of these changes?

Option 1)

Molality

Option 2)

Weight fraction of solute

Option 3)

Fraction of solute present in water

Option 4)

Mole fraction.

Number of atoms in 558.5 gram Fe (at. wt.of Fe = 55.85 g mol-1) is

Option 1)

twice that in 60 g carbon

Option 2)

6.023 × 1022

Option 3)

half that in 8 g He

Option 4)

558.5 × 6.023 × 1023

A pulley of radius 2 m is rotated about its axis by a force F = (20t - 5t2) newton (where t is measured in seconds) applied tangentially. If the moment of inertia of the pulley about its axis of rotation is 10 kg m2 , the number of rotations made by the pulley before its direction of motion if reversed, is

Option 1)

less than 3

Option 2)

more than 3 but less than 6

Option 3)

more than 6 but less than 9

Option 4)

more than 9

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