BRAINCAKEBonding in Alkenes
The C=C double bond in an alkene is made of two different kinds of covalent bond: one σ (sigma) bond and one π (pi) bond.
A σ bond forms by the end-on (direct) overlap of orbitals, so its electron density lies directly between the two carbon nuclei. Every single covalent bond is a σ bond.
A π bond forms by the sideways overlap of two p orbitals, one on each carbon atom. Its electron density sits in two regions, one above and one below the plane of the molecule.
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Key terms in this lesson
- mean bond enthalpy
- The average energy needed to break one mole of a particular covalent bond, measured over a range of compounds, with all species gaseous.
More in Alkenes
- Alkenes
- Addition Reactions
- Hydrogenation
- Halogenation
- Hydration
- Addition of Hydrogen Halides
- Electrophile
- Nucleophile
All 19 lessons in Alkenes · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics