Chemical Bond II

Ionic Bonding
1. Ionic bonds are formed by one atom transferring electrons to another atom to form ions. Ions are
atoms, or groups of atoms, which have lost or gained electrons.
2. The atom losing electrons forms a positive ion (a cation) and is usually a metal. The overall
charge on the ion is positive due to excess positive nuclear charge (protons do NOT change in
chemical reactions).
3. The atom gaining electrons forms a negative ion (an anion) and is usually a non-metallic
element. The overall charge on the ion is negative because of the gain, and therefore excess, of
negative electrons.
4. Ions of opposite charge will attract one another, thus creating an ionic bond.
5. The examples below combining a metal from Groups 1 (Alkali Metals), or 2, with a non-metal
from Group 6 or Group 7 (The Halogens)

Example:
A Group 1 metal + a Group 7 non-metal A Group 2 metal + a Group 7 non-metal

1. In terms of electron arrangement, the 1. In terms of electron arrangement, the

sodium donates its outer electron to a
chlorine atom forming a single positive
sodium ion and a single negative chloride
ion.
2. The valencies of Na and Cl are both 1, that
is, the numerical charge on the ions. NaF,
KBr, LiI etc. will all be electronically
similar.
3. The atoms have become stable ions,
because electronically, sodium becomes
like neon and chlorine like argon.
magnesium donates its two outer electrons
to two chlorine atoms forming a double
positive magnesium ion and two single
negative chloride ions.
2. The atoms have become stable ions,
because electronically, magnesium
becomes like neon and chlorine like argon.
3. NOTE you can draw two separate chloride
ions, but in these examples a number
subscript has been used, as in ordinary
chemical formula. The valency of Mg is 2
and chlorine 1, ie the numerical charges of
the ions. BeF2, MgBr2, CaCl2 or CaI2 etc.
will all be electronically similar.

1
A Group 2 metal + a Group 6 non-metal Predicting The Formula for Ionic
Compound
Element that combine Formula of
Charge Charge the ionic
Element of the Element of the compound
X from ion Y from ion
Group Group
I V
Group Group
I VI
Group Group
I VII
Group Group
II V
Group Group
1. In terms of electron arrangement, one II VI
Magnesium atom donates its two outer Group Group
electrons to one oxygen atom. II VII
2. This results in a double positive magnesium Group Group
ion to one double negative oxide ion. III V
3. All the ions have the stable electronic Group Group
structures 2.8.8 (argon like) or 2.8 (neon III VI
like). the valency of both calcium and Group Group
oxygen is 2. III VII
MgO, MgS, or CaS will be similar
electronically (S and O both in Group 6)

Example 1
Example 3

Example 2

2
 Example 4

Exercise
1 The formation of the charged particles to
produce an ionic compound is due to
A the charging of the atoms by friction
as they collide with each other.
B the sharing of electrons between
metallic and non-metallic atoms
C the passage of an electric current
through the compound.
D the action of water on the compound
when it dissolves.
E the transfer of electrons from metallic
to non-metallic atoms.
3 In which of the following sets do all the
compounds contain only ionic bonds?
A calcium oxide, carbon dioxide,
magnesium oxide
B calcium oxide, magnesium oxide,
sodium chloride
C carbon dioxide, copper(II) sulphate,
hydrogen chloride
D carbon dioxide, copper(II) sulphate,
sodium chloride
E copper(II) sulphate, hydrogen
chloride, magnesium oxide

2 Element P has an electronic 4 The symbol for the element

configuration of 2. 8. 6. Element R has an rhenium is Re. What is the
electronic configuration of 2. 8. 8. 1. formula of rhenium(IV) oxide?
What is likely to form if P and R A ReO D Re4O
combine? B ReO2 E Re4O2
A a covalent compound PR. C ReO4
B a covalent compound P6R6
C an ionic compound RP.
D an ionic compound RP2. Answer
E an ionic compound R2P. Example 1 D
Example 2 C
Example 3 A
Example 4 B

Exercise
1 E 3 B
2 E 4 B