Noncovalent bonds are ways molecules are attracted to each other by not sharing electrons (covalent bond). Noncovalent bonds are of particular importance in organic substances to form complex structures.
There are 3 types of noncovalent bonds:
– ionic interactions
– hydrophobic interactions
– hydrogen bonds
Noncovalent bonds are weak compared to covalent bonds (5 kcal/mole vs 90-100 kcal/mole of bond energy). The weak noncovalent bonds allows complex molecular structures to be assembled and disassembled with relative ease.
One example of the breaking of noncovalent bonds is by beating an egg. By scrambling an egg, it’s noncovalent bonds are broken.
Links:
Noncovalent Bonding
Chemical Bonds and Important Biological Molecules
Non-Covalent Interactions