Topics

• Ionic and covalent bonds
• Sigma and pi bonds
• Bond polarity
• Electronegativity differences

What to Focus On

Organic chemistry is almost entirely covalent, so ionic bonding is background knowledge rather than a focal point. The concepts that matter most are sigma and pi bonds — sigma bonds form the backbone of every organic molecule, while pi bonds create double and triple bonds and are considerably more reactive.

Bond polarity is the other key idea: when two atoms with different electronegativities share electrons, the distribution is uneven, and that uneven distribution drives most of what happens in an organic reaction.

Why It Matters

Bonding concepts form the language of organic chemistry.

Recommended Resources

Reading

OpenStax Chemistry 2e

• Chapter 7

Videos

• Khan Academy — Chemical bonds
• OCT — Ionic and covalent bonds

Gentle Exercises

Identify:

• Which bonds are polar.
• Which atoms carry partial charges.

Explain:

• Why C–H bonds are relatively nonpolar.
• Why O–H bonds are polar.

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