Bonding Pair
Definition and meaning of Bonding Pair in chemistry.
A bonding pair is a pair of electrons that is shared between two atoms and forms a covalent bond holding them together.
In more detail
In Lewis structures, a bonding pair is drawn as a shared dot pair or a single line between two atoms, distinguishing it from a lone pair, which belongs to only one atom and does not participate in bonding. The bonding pair occupies the region of space between the two nuclei, and its electron density is what constitutes the covalent bond. In VSEPR theory, bonding pairs and lone pairs around a central atom repel each other, but bonding pairs experience less repulsion than lone pairs because they are drawn toward two nuclei rather than one, which affects predicted bond angles.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Also Called | Shared pair |
| Contrast | Lone pair (nonbonding pair) |
| Notation | Drawn as a line or two dots between bonded atoms in a Lewis structure |
In a chlorine molecule (Cl2), each chlorine atom contributes one electron to a single shared bonding pair, forming the Cl-Cl covalent bond, while each atom also retains three lone pairs.
Frequently asked questions
How is a bonding pair different from a lone pair?
A bonding pair is shared between two atoms and forms part of a covalent bond, while a lone pair belongs to a single atom and is not involved in bonding, though it can still influence molecular shape.
Can a bonding pair involve more than two electrons?
No, a single bonding pair always consists of exactly two electrons; double and triple bonds are made up of two or three separate bonding pairs, respectively.