Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure

Octet rule

Main-group atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to attain eight valence electrons, matching the stable noble-gas

Ionic bond

An electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, formed by transfer of electrons from a metal to a nonmetal.

Covalent bond

A bond formed by sharing one or more pairs of electrons between two nonmetal atoms, allowing both to approach a full oct

Metallic bond

Metal cations sit in a delocalized 'sea' of mobile valence electrons. This explains metals' conductivity, malleability,

Polar vs nonpolar covalent bond

Unequal electron sharing (electronegativity difference roughly 0.4–1.7) gives a polar covalent bond with partial charges