Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How do double bonds differ from single bonds in organic compounds?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
organic compound
The structures of organic compounds can be depicted in condensed, expanded, and three-dimensional structural formulas.
In organic chemistry, double bonds and single bonds differ significantly in their structure, strength, and impact on molecular geometry.
A single bond consists of one covalent bond formed by the sharing of one pair of electrons. In contrast, a double bond involves the sharing of two pairs of electrons between two atoms.12
Key differences include:
- Composition: A double bond is composed of one sigma bond and one pi bond, whereas a single bond consists only of a sigma bond.13
- Strength and Length: Double bonds are both stronger and shorter than single bonds.13
- Molecular Geometry and Rigidity: Single bonds allow for free rotation around the bond axis. However, the presence of a pi bond in a double bond prevents this rotation, which imparts rigidity to the molecule. While atoms connected by single bonds often adopt a tetrahedral arrangement, the atoms involved in a double bond lie in a single plane.12
These structural features are fundamental to the reactivity and three-dimensional architecture of organic molecules.12