Types of Bonds

[joanneyseung22]

What are the main differences between sigma-bonds and pi-bonds?

[Andrea Zheng 1H]

sigma bonds have orbitals end to end and allow the bound atoms to rotate. pi bonds have orbitals that overlap side to side and don't allow bound atoms to rotate. a single bond is a sigma bond and a double bond is one sigma one pi bond

[Chloe Likwong 2K]

Sigma bonds: end-to-end overlap and must form before a pi bond
Pi bonds: side-by-side overlap and it cannot exist w/o a sigma bond

To further clarify:

Bonds-
Single: 1 sigma, 0 pi
Double: 1 sigma, 1 pi
Triple: 1 sigma, 2 pi

[arif_latif_2G]

Sigma bonds are formed by the end-to-end overlap of orbitals while Pi bonds are formed by the lateral overlap of orbitals. Since the overlap in sigma bonds is larger than the overlap in Pi bonds, sigma bonds are stronger.

[604656370]

Sigma bonds are the initial and strongest bonds formed between two atoms, whereas pi bonds are the subsequent bonds (2nd and 3rd) formed between the same atoms. For example, in O2 (double bond), the first bond created would be a sigma bond and the second one would be a pi bond. In N2 (triple bond), the first would be a sigma bond and the second and third would be pi bonds. In addition, sigma bonds interact end-to-end and allow bound atoms to rotate. Pi bonds, on the other hand, overal side-by-side and don't allow rotation.