Double bond

[Melissa_Aguirre1J]

Why wouldn't one pi bond be considered a double bond?

[Neha Divi 1K]

A pi bond is a covalent bond that results from the formation of a molecular orbital by side-to-side overlap of atomic orbitals along a plane perpendicular to a line. A double bond actually has one sigma and one pi bond.

[Nina_A_Section1E]

A sigma bond is a covalent bond which is formed by the head on overlap of two atomic orbitals. A Pi bond is a covalent bond which is formed by the side-to-side overlap of two atomic orbitals.

Sigma bonds are relatively stronger when compared with pi bonds. So, pi bonds are easily broken while sigma bonds aren't. There can be only one sigma bond between two particular atoms in a molecule. But there can be a maximum of two pi bonds between two atoms in a molecule. For example,

• If there is a single bond between two atoms, then the bond will be sigma bond.

• If there are two bonds, then one will be sigma and another will be pi bond.

• If there are three bonds, then one will be sigma bond and two will be pi bonds.

[Mei Blundell_1J]

Hi Melissa,
So pi bonds do have overlaps in 2 places, but these are considered just 2 regions of 1 bond. I guess this is because there are only 2 electrons involved (1 from one p and 1 from the other p).