Dipole-dipole, London dispersion (also known as Van der Waals) interactions, hydrogen bonding, and ionic bonds are the main types of intermolecular interactions responsible for the physical properties of compounds. All of them are electrostatic interactions, meaning that they all occur … Read more
The dipole moment of a molecule and its overall polarity depends on the magnitude and direction of individual polar bonds and their dipole moments. Remember, for molecules with one polar bond, the molecular dipole is determined simply based on the … Read more
Before we go into the details explaining the bong lengths and bond strengths in organic chemistry, let’s put a small summary for these two properties right from the beginning as it stays relevant for all types of bonds we are … Read more
The hybridization theory is often seen as a long and confusing concept, and it is a handy skill to be able to quickly determine if the atom is sp3, sp2, or sp without having to go through all the details … Read more
In today’s post, we will discuss the VSEPR theory which helps us understand the geometry of molecules. First, what does VSEPR stand for? It is the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory. Notice the highlighted word ‘Repulsion’. It is the … Read more
Introduction to the Hybridization Let’s start by answering this question: Why do we need the hybridization theory? Here is one answer to this. It is confirmed experimentally that the carbon atom in methane (CH4) and other alkanes has a tetrahedral … Read more
Here is a simple view on this important topic. In Lewis structures, we show each covalent bond as two dots, which represent a pair of electrons. For example: So the bonds can be represented either with a line … Read more
Check the updated version of this post here. What is Valency? Before getting to the Formal Charge, let’s recall the valency of elements in organic chemistry. Valency is the tendency of elements to make a certain number of bonds. … Read more
