Why are single bonds stronger than double?

Question

Ella Allen · Accepted Answer

You mean #"why are double bonds stronger than single?"#

The modern chemical bond is conceived to be a region of high electron density between two positively charged nuclei, such nucleus-nucleus repulsion is minimized and a net attractive force results. For a #C-C# single bond, this electron density is directly between the carbon nuclei. A double bond has (i) this electron density between the nuclei; and (ii) electron density above and below the plane of the single bond. This electron density results in a greater attractive force.

As physical scientists and chemists, we ought to support this claim with some data. For more information and quantitative data, visit this website.

Easton Jones · Answer

undefined Single bonds are stronger than double bonds because they involve the sharing of only one pair of electrons between the bonded atoms, while double bonds involve the sharing of two pairs of electrons. The electrons in a single bond are held more tightly between the nuclei of the bonded atoms, resulting in stronger bonds compared to double bonds where the electron density is spread out over a larger area, leading to weaker overall bonding.