Ionic Bond

Ionic bonds are formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms/molecules. Here, one atom loses an electron which is gained by another atom. The atom which gains an electron develops a negative charge and is called an anion, and the atom which loses an electron develops a positive charge and is called a cation. Along with covalent and metallic bonding, it is one of the most common types of bonding. Ions are electrostatically charged atoms (or groups of atoms). Negatively charged ions are formed when atoms gain electrons (called anions). Ions are positively charged atoms that have lost their electrons (called cations). Electrovalence, as opposed to covalence, refers to the transfer of electrons.

Ionic Bonds

Ionic bonding is one of the most important types of chemical bonding. It is responsible for the very existence of the solid state, which is a basis for all our physical and chemical properties. The ionic bond consists of the transfer of polar covalent bonding electrons from one atom to another. This leads to the formation of oppositely charged ions in the molecule.

An ionic bond, also called an electrovalent bond, is a chemical bond formed by electrostatic interaction between two oppositely charged ions. The bond formation occurs between a cation, usually metal, and an anion, usually non-metal. Nearly all ionic compounds possess a degree of covalent bonding, which means that a purely ionic bond never exists. So, the ionic bond can be defined as a bond with greater ionic character than the covalent character. 

Electronegativity and ionic bonding

• Transfer of valence electrons leads to the formation of ionic bonds.
• This leads to the formation of two ions, one having the positive charge called cations and one having the negative charge called anions.
• The opposite charges lead to solid and attractive forces between the atoms.
• This force is known as an ionic or electrovalent force.
• An ionic bond is formed between atoms with high electronegativity.
• The compound formed by electrostatic attraction between positive and negative ions is called an ionic compound.

Characteristics of Ionic Bond

A strong force of attraction is present between the ionic bonds. Because of this force, we can observe several properties present in the Ionic bonds. Some of these Ionic bonds properties are as follows-

1. Strength: Ionic bonds are formed when a metal atom loses one or more of its outer electrons and a non-metal atom acquires them. The metallic bond is formed by the attraction between the positively charged metal ions and the negatively charged electrons in the non-metal. The attractive force is called electrostatic force. The metallic bond is strong because of the strong attraction between two oppositely charged objects.
2. Charge Separation: The ionic bond is the strongest and most reactive of the bonds. It forms when a metal atom loses one of its electrons, which moves over to a non-metal atom. The negative charge on one side attracts the positive charge, holding them together. The ionic bond makes molecules change their shape quickly. It also dissolves fairly easily in a proper medium. For example, sodium chloride (table salt) is easy to dissolve in water because water molecules can move between the ions. They have enough energy to knock off an electron from a sodium atom or pull an electron away from a chlorine atom.
3. High Melting and Boiling Points: The ionic bonded molecules have high melting and boiling point. Ionic compounds are compounds that contain ions. Ions are atoms or molecules with a net electrical charge because they have lost or gained electrons. The most common types of ionic bonds are electrostatic bonds, in which the negative electrons of an atom are attracted to the positive atomic nucleus of another atom.

Formation of ionic bonds

• In two instances, an ionic bond is formed:
• The octet becomes stable when one of the atoms donates electrons to complete the octet in the inert gas electron configuration.
• When the inert gas electron arrangement requires electrons from the other atom.
• When a metal reacts with a non-metal, electrons are transferred from the metal atoms to the non-metal atoms, forming an ionic bond.
• An ionic bond is a strong attraction that develops between two oppositely charged ions. Ionic linkages include sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and magnesium oxide, among others.

Example of ionic bond 

Ionic bonds are atomic bonds formed by the attraction of two ions with opposite charges.

The bond is usually formed between a metal and a nonmetal. The bond’s structure is stiff, strong, and frequently crystalline and solid. At high temperatures, ionic bonds also melt. Ionic bonds are aqueous, which means they can conduct when dissolved in water. They are insulators as solids. Electrovalent bonds are another name for ionic bonding.

Properties of Ionic bonds

1. Ionic bonds are the strongest type of chemical bonds. They are formed when an ion (a charged atom or molecule) gives up or shares one or more of its electrons with another atom or molecule.
2. Ionic bonds are formed between oppositely charged ions. The bonds are strong enough to hold atoms together but not so strong that they can’t be broken.
3. In ionic bonds, the non-metal is always the donor atom, and the metal is always the acceptor.
4. Ionic bonding is ubiquitous in nature, and is the dominant form of bonding in inorganic chemistry.

Conclusion

Ionic bonds are atomic bonds formed by the attraction of two ions with opposite charges. The bond is usually formed between a metal and a nonmetal. The bond’s structure is stiff, strong, and frequently crystalline and solid. At high temperatures, ionic bonds also melt. Ionic bonds are aqueous, which means they can conduct when dissolved in water. They are insulators as solids. Electrovalent bonds are another name for ionic bonding.