Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A double bond in organic chemistry is a chemical bond between two atoms involving four bonding electrons instead of the usual two. It results in stronger attraction and shorter distance between the bonded atoms compared to a single bond.
These are hybrid orbitals formed by the mixing of one s orbital and two p orbitals, creating three equivalent orbitals oriented at 120-degree angles, essential for forming double bonds.
A simple hydrocarbon with the formula C2H4, consisting of two carbon atoms connected by a double bond, used as a fundamental building block in organic chemistry.