Double Bonds

CH 106 - Lesson 2

Double Bonds

The way a double bond is indicated in a structural formula is shown here (and in Example 3 in your workbook). There are two lines to connect the two carbon atoms. Notice that a double bond leaves only two other bonds for each of those carbon atoms. Each carbon atom can form four bonds, but a double bond takes up two of those, leaving only two other bonds. Both of these structural formulas are for the same compound. The bottom one emphasizes the 120º angles of the sp² hybrid orbitals, while the top one does not.

H
|
H-C=C-C-H
| | |
H H H

    H  H
    \ /
H      C
   \    / \
C = C  H
/    \
H     H

These structural formulas, however, do not provide any information about the structure of the double bonds. To get a better understanding of that we must look at pi bonds on the next page.

Top of Page

E-mail instructor: Eden Francis