Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
noncovalent
adjective
/nɒnˈkoʊvələnt/
Definition
Noncovalent refers to chemical interactions that do not involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Examples
- Water molecules are held together by noncovalent hydrogen bonds.
- Enzyme-substrate interactions often rely on noncovalent forces for their functionality.
- Noncovalent interactions play a crucial role in the structure and stability of proteins.
Meaning
The term describes forces that hold molecules together without the formation of covalent bonds. These interactions are typically weaker than covalent bonds and include hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and van der Waals forces.
Synonyms
- Non-bonding
- Weaker interactions
- Electrostatic interactions
