Double and Triple Bonds

Triple bonds are even shorter and stronger than

• double bonds.
• The distance between nitrogen nuclei in a nitrogen–nitrogen triple bond is 110 pm.
• In a double bond, the distance is 124 pm.
• When we examine nitrogen in nature, we find that it exists as a diatomic molecule with a very strong, short bond between the two nitrogen atoms.
• The bond is so strong that it is difficult to break, making N2 a relatively unreactive molecule.