What are the different types of chemical bonds?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Types of Chemical Bonds: An Overview
Covalent Bonds: Electron Sharing
Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. This type of bond is typically found in molecules where atoms have similar electronegativities, allowing them to share electrons more or less equally. The driving force behind covalent bonding is the lowering of quantum kinetic energy density by sharing electrons2. Covalent bonds can be single, double, or triple, depending on the number of shared electron pairs. These bonds are characterized by specific shapes and angles due to electronic repulsion forces within the molecule5 6.
Ionic Bonds: Electrostatic Attraction
Ionic bonds occur when one atom donates an electron to another, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions. These ions are then held together by electrostatic forces. Ionic bonds are typically formed between metals and nonmetals, where the difference in electronegativity is significant. The driving force for ionic bonding is the lowering of potential energy density by charge rearrangement in the valence shell2. Ionic compounds are generally solid at room temperature and have high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces between ions5 6.
Dative Covalent Bonds: Electron Pair Donation
Dative covalent bonds, also known as coordinate bonds, occur when one atom donates both electrons in a shared pair. This type of bond is common in complex ions and coordination compounds. The donor atom must have a lone pair of electrons, while the acceptor atom must have an empty orbital to accommodate the electron pair5 6.
Intermolecular Bonds: Weak Forces
Intermolecular bonds are weaker than covalent and ionic bonds and include hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and dipole-dipole interactions. These bonds are crucial for determining the physical properties of substances, such as boiling and melting points, solubility, and viscosity. Hydrogen bonds, for example, occur when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like oxygen or nitrogen) interacts with another electronegative atom1 5 6.
Charge-Shift Bonds: Resonance Energy
Charge-shift (CS) bonds are a relatively new concept in chemical bonding. These bonds occur when the bonding electrons have high kinetic energy due to repulsion by core electrons. In valence bond terms, CS bonds are characterized by a large resonance energy between the covalent and ionic forms of the bond3. This type of bond is often found in compounds with abnormal bonding situations, such as propellanes and certain fluorine compounds3.
Metallic Bonds: Electron Sea Model
Metallic bonds are found in metals, where atoms are arranged in a lattice structure. In this type of bond, electrons are not shared between specific atoms but are free to move throughout the entire structure, creating a "sea of electrons." This delocalization of electrons accounts for the high electrical and thermal conductivity of metals, as well as their malleability and ductility9 10.
Multicenter Bonds: Complex Interactions
Multicenter bonds involve more than two atoms sharing electrons. A notable example is the hydrogen multicenter bond, where a hydrogen atom bonds equally to four or more other atoms. This type of bonding is observed in certain metal oxides, where hydrogen substitutes for oxygen and bonds to surrounding metal atoms8. These bonds are strong despite the large distances between the hydrogen and metal atoms.
Conclusion
Chemical bonds are fundamental to the structure and properties of compounds. The primary types of bonds—covalent, ionic, dative covalent, and intermolecular—each have unique characteristics and mechanisms. Additionally, newer concepts like charge-shift and multicenter bonds expand our understanding of chemical interactions. Understanding these various bonding types is crucial for explaining the diverse behaviors and properties of different substances.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Is there any fundamental difference between ionic, covalent, and others types of bond? A canonical perspective on the question.
There are no fundamental distinctions among covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and intermolecular interactions, as previously thought.
Toward a physical understanding of electron‐sharing two‐center bonds. I. General aspects
This paper explores the physical basis of chemical bonding mechanisms, focusing on electron-sharing two-center bonds and their unique features and differences.
An MO-based identification of charge-shift bonds.
This study developed molecular orbital-based criteria for identifying charge-shift bonds, aiming to improve computational accuracy in identifying these bonds in compounds.
Classification of chemical bonds based on topological analysis of electron localization functions
This study proposes a more precise classification of chemical bonds based on topological analysis of electron localization functions, allowing for absolute characterization of covalency versus ionicity from observable properties like electron densities.
Highly CitedHydrogen multicentre bonds.
Hydrogen multicentre bonds, a generalization of three-centre bonds, are remarkably strong and explain the dependence of electrical conductivity on oxygen partial pressure in metal oxides.
Highly CitedAre One-Electron Bonds Any Different from Standard Two-Electron Covalent Bonds?
One-electron bonds and two-electron bonds are both the result of quantum interference, and there is no conceptual difference between them.
Try another search
What are the best practices for hydration and electrolyte management in endurance sports?
What are the distance measures that can be compared to the Mahalanobis distance?
public administration
What are the effects of different types of stretching on flexibility and muscle health?
overtourism
observable evolution