Question

In the very first chapter of this book, we described the scientific approach and put a special emphasis on scientific models or theories. In this chapter, we looked carefully at a model for chemical bonding (the Lewis model). Why is this theory successful? What are some of the limitations of the theory?

Short answer

The Lewis model is successful because it offers a simple way to predict behavior of electrons in molecules and the formation of covalent bonds. Its limitations include the inability to explain orbital hybridization, magnetic behaviors, quantitative energy changes, and resonance structures.

Step-by-step solution

Analyzing the Success of the Lewis Model

To determine why the Lewis model is considered successful, review the objectives it achieves and the empirical evidence that supports it. The model is successful because it provides a simple method to illustrate and predict the behavior of electrons in molecules, explaining the formation of covalent bonds by electron sharing. It's based on the concept that atoms bond to achieve a stable octet, mirroring the electron configuration of noble gases. This theory has been successful in explaining a wide range of chemical phenomena and making accurate predictions about the structure of molecules.

Identifying Limitations of the Lewis Model

While the Lewis model is effective for many purposes, it has limitations that need to be recognized. It does not account for the phenomena of atomic orbitals and their hybridization, nor does it explain the behavior of molecules under the influence of magnetic fields (paramagnetism and diamagnetism). The model also struggles with explaining the ionic character of polar covalent bonds and the concept of resonance in molecules like benzene, which requires a more advanced quantum mechanical approach. Additionally, the Lewis model does not provide quantified energy changes during bond formation or breaking.

Key concepts

Chemical Bonding Theory

Chemical bonding theory is fundamental to understanding molecular structure and the behavior of atoms in various substances. At the heart of this theory lies the concept of atoms bonding together to form molecules and compounds. An underlying principle of bonding is to achieve a more stable electronic configuration. The driving force behind the formation of bonds is the tendency of atoms to seek a complete outer shell of electrons, resembling the electron configuration of the noble gases, known for their chemical inertness.

Chemical bonds can be categorized broadly into three types:

• Covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between atoms.
• Ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in charged ions that attract each other.
• Metallic bonds, involving a sea of delocalized electrons around metal cations.

Within these categories, various factors such as electronegativity differences and orbital hybridization play a crucial role in shaping the characteristics of the chemical bonds and the materials they create.

Limitation of Lewis Model

While the Lewis model for chemical bonding provides a simplified and educational approach to visualize molecules and predict bond formations, it exhibits several limitations:

• It does not adequately describe molecular orbital theory, which explains the electron behavior as a delocalized cloud, often needed for complex molecules.
• The model fails to account for the magnetic properties of substances, making it incomplete for explaining paramagnetism and diamagnetism observed in materials.
• The concept of resonance, which is used to describe molecules like benzene where the electron delocalization causes a structure that is a hybrid of multiple Lewis structures, is not well-represented.
• When it comes to polar covalent bonds, the continuum between ionic and covalent bonding is not clearly defined in the Lewis model, making it challenging to assess ionic character accurately.
• Lastly, quantitative aspects such as the energetic changes during bond formation or bond dissociation energy are not predicted by the Lewis model, leaving out a crucial part of chemical reactions insights.

Such limitations necessitate the use of more advanced theories, such as quantum mechanics, to fill in the gaps left by the Lewis approach.

Electron Sharing and Covalent Bonds

Electron sharing is the hallmark of covalent bonding, where two atoms contribute one or more of their electrons to form a shared pair. This results in a covalent bond that holds the atoms together, allowing them to achieve a more stable electron configuration, often an octet, similar to noble gases. The strength and length of the bond depend on the overlap between the atomic orbitals and the electronegativity of the bonding atoms.

Covalent bonds can be single, double, or triple, represented in Lewis structures by one, two, or three lines connecting the atoms, respectively. These shared electron pairs are what create the skeleton of molecular structures, determining both the shape of the molecule and how it interacts with other substances. Covalent bonding is essential for the formation of a wide array of organic and inorganic compounds, and understanding this concept is crucial for predicting the chemical and physical properties of molecules.