Covalent bond intermolecular forces

The term polymer is derived from the Greek words poly and meros, meaning many parts. We noted in the last section that the existence of these parts was acknowledged before the nature of the interaction which held them together was known. Today we realize that ordinary covalent bonds are the intramolecular forces which keep the polymer molecule intact. In addition, the usual type of intermolecular forces—hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole interactions, and London forces—hold assemblies of these molecules together in the bulk state. The only thing that is remarkable about these molecules is their size, but that feature is remarkable indeed. 

The photoinduced electron transfer (PET) is especially important in the case of large or giant molecules (supermolecules), ie systems made up of molecular components in the same way as molecules are made up of atoms [11-19], As the systems are made up of a number of discrete components held together by different but not always exactly specified forces (covalent bonds, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, or other intermolecular interactions), the photoinduced electron transfer or energy transfer in these systems may be formally treated as intermolecular [20],... 

You have learned that pure covalent compounds are not held together by ionic bonds in lattice structures. They do form liquids and solids at low temperatures, however. Something must hold the molecules together when a covalent compound is in its liquid or solid state. The forces that bond the atoms to each other within a molecule are called intramolecular forces. Covalent bonds are intramolecular forces. In comparison, the forces that bond molecules to each other are called intermolecular forces. 

Strong intramolecular forces (covalent bonds) hold the atoms in molecules together. Relatively weak intermolecular forces act between molecules. 

In addition to the intramolecular covalent bonds that keep the polymer molecules intact, we now know that intermolecular forces— hydrogen bonds,... 

When applied to crystalline solids, the paradigm shift leads directly from supramolecular chemistry to crystal engineering. What is a (molecular) crystal if not an organized entity of higher complexity held together by in-termolecular forces (J.M. Lehn) Who can deny that the collective properties of such a giant supermolecule are the result of the convolution of intermolecular non-covalent bonding between molecular/ionic components with the periodicity of the crystal. 

Dipole forces, induced dipole forces, and hydrogen bonds are all intermolecular attractions—forces that act between molecules. Induced dipole forces are also known as dispersion forces, London forces, and London dispersion forces. Covalent bonds are the forces that hold atoms together within a molecule. Ionic bonds are the forces that hold ions together within a crystal. Covalent and ionic bonds are much stronger than any of the intermolecular forces. 

Network covalent atomic solids, such as diamond, graphite, and silicon dioxide, are held together by covalent bonds. The crystal structures of these solids are more restricted by the geometrical constraints of the covalent bonds (which tend to be more directional than intermolecular forces, ionic bonds, or metallic bonds) so they do not tend to form closest-packed structures. 

In most covalent compounds, the strong covalent bonds link the atoms together into molecules, but the molecules themselves are held together by much weaker forces, hence the low melting points of molecular crystals and their inability to conduct electricity. These weak intermolecular forces are called van der WaaFs forces in general, they increase with increase in size of the molecule. Only... 

If the concentration of junction points is high enough, even branches will contain branches. Eventually a point is reached at which the amount of branching is so extensive that the polymer molecule becomes a giant three-dimensional network. When this condition is achieved, the molecule is said to be cross-linked. In this case, an entire macroscopic object may be considered to consist of essentially one molecule. The forces which give cohesiveness to such a body are covalent bonds, not intermolecular forces. Accordingly, the mechanical behavior of cross-linked bodies is much different from those without cross-linking. 

When thinking about chemical reactivity, chemists usually focus their attention on bonds, the covalent interactions between atoms within individual molecules. Also important, hotvever, particularly in large biomolecules like proteins and nucleic acids, are a variety of interactions between molecules that strongly affect molecular properties. Collectively called either intermolecular forces, van der Waals forces, or noncovalent interactions, they are of several different types dipole-dipole forces, dispersion forces, and hydrogen bonds. 

We have now discussed three types of intermolecular forces dispersion forces, dipole forces, and hydrogen bonds. You should bear in mind that all these forces are relatively weak compared with ordinary covalent bonds. Consider, for example, the situation in HzO. The total intermolecular attractive energy in ice is about 50 kj/mol. In contrast, to dissociate one mole of water vapor into atoms requires the absorption of928 kj of energy, that is, 2(OH bond energy). This explains why it is a lot easier to boil water than to decompose it into the elements. Even at a temperature of 1000°C and 1 atm, only about one H20 molecule in a billion decomposes to hydrogen and oxygen atoms. 

In which of the following processes is it necessary to break covalent bonds as opposed to simply overcoming intermolecular forces ... 

What Do We Need to Know Already It would be a good idea to review the information on periodic trends in Sections 1.15-1.22 and 14.1-14.2. Because the nonmetals form molecular compounds, it would also be helpful to review Lewis structures, electronegativity, and covalent bonding in Chapters 2 and 3. The bulk properties of nonmetallic materials are affected by intermolecular forces (Sections 5.1-5.5). 

The halogens, the elements from Group 17 of the periodic table, provide an introduction to intermolecular forces. These elements exist as diatomic molecules F2, CI2, Bf2, and I2. The bonding patterns of the four halogens are identical. Each molecule contains two atoms held together by a single covalent bond that can be described by end-on overlap of valence p orbitals. 

Network solids such as diamond, graphite, or silica cannot dissolve without breaking covalent chemical bonds. Because intermolecular forces of attraction are always much weaker than covalent bonds, solvent-solute interactions are never strong enough to offset the energy cost of breaking bonds. Covalent solids are insoluble in all solvents. Although they may react with specific liquids or vapors, covalent solids will not dissolve in solvents. 

As described in Chapter JT, melting points of solids may depend on both covalent bonds and intermolecular forces, so we must explain the melting point difference with reference to the bonding differences between the two forms. 

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