Question

How many Covalent Bonds are present in Pentane $\left({\mathrm{C}}_5{\mathrm{H}}_{12}\right)$?

Answer 1

Covalent Bonds

• The covalent bond is formed by equal sharing of electrons from both the participating atoms.
• Sharing of bonding pairs will ensure that the atoms achieve stability in their outershell which is similar to the atoms of noble gases.
• Covalent bonds can be classified into three types: Single Covalent bond: A single bond is formed when only one pair of the electron is shared between the two participating atoms. Example: Hydrogen Chloride ($\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{Cl}$) molecule has one hydrogen linked with single bond with chlorine atom by sharing only one electron.
• Double Covalent bond: A double bond is formed when two pairs of electrons are shared between two participating atoms. Example: Carbon dioxide ($\mathrm{O}=\mathrm{C}=\mathrm{O}$) Each oxygen atom shares shares its two electrons with carbon and there are two double bonds in Carbon dioxide ($\mathrm{O}=\mathrm{C}=\mathrm{O}$).
• Triple Bond: A triple bond is formed when three electrons are shared between the two participating atoms. Example: Dinitrogen (${\mathrm{N}}_2$) ($\mathrm{N}\equiv \mathrm{N}$) a triple bond is formed between two nitrogen atoms.

Covalent Bonds in Pentane $\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{5}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{12}}\mathbf{\right)}$

• Structure of Pentane: ${\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_3$

• There are $16$ covalent bonds in pentane.
• $4$ in $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}$, $12$ in $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{H}$ covalent bonds are present in Pentane $\left({\mathrm{C}}_5{\mathrm{H}}_{12}\right)$.

Therefore, The number of covalent bonds in Pentane is $16$.