One or more electrons are completely transferred from one atom to another, causing the two atoms to assume their closest inert gas configuration. A chemical bond is formed between two atoms when one or more electrons from one atom to the other are completely transferred. In order for two atoms to combine and lose energy while also becoming stable, there are primarily three possibilities. To complete their octet configuration, one method is to donate or accept electrons from other cells or molecules. An ionic bond or an electrovalent bond are both terms used to describe this type of bond. This type of bond is formed when one atom gains electrons from its outermost level or orbit while the other atom loses electrons from its outermost level or orbit.
When electrons are transferred from the atoms of one element to the atoms of another element, electrovalent bonds are formed, resulting in the formation of positive and negative ions. An electrovalent bond, also known as an ionic bond, is a bond formed between atoms as a result of the transfer of electrons between them. Electrovalent bonds can only form between metals and not between the nonmetals. There are no electrovalent bonds formed between two nonmetals when they are in contact.
It is ionic bonding that results in the formation of ionic compounds, which are best exemplified by the compounds that form between nonmetals as well as alkali and alkaline-earth metals, respectively. Because of the electrostatic forces of attraction among opposite charges and repulsion between similar charges, the ions in ionic crystalline solids of this type are organised so that every positive ion is surrounded by negative ions and the reverse is true for every negative ion.
Factors responsible for the formation of electrovalent bond:
- Metals should have the lowest ionisation enthalpy possible to prevent ionisation from occurring.
- In order to obtain the highest electron gain enthalpy, the material must be nonmetal.
- When one mole of crystal lattice is formed, a lot of energy must be released. This energy, known as the lattice enthalpy, must be a lot of energy.
Difference between electrovalent and covalent bond:
Electrovalent bond | Covalent bond |
Ionic bonds are formed in crystals as a result of the attraction of positive and negative ions, and compounds that are held together by ionic bonds are referred to as ionic compounds. | A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share one or more electron pairs, resulting in the sharing of one or more electron pairs. Each atom contributes a similar number of electrons to the formation of the bond between them. |
When the difference in ionisation potential between the two atoms is greater, more ionic compounds are formed between the two atoms. | Given the fact that atoms with higher ionisation potential cannot lose their valence electrons, they prefer to form covalent bonds by sharing electrons rather than forming single electron bonds. |
The formation of an ionic bond is caused by the presence of atoms with a greater difference in electronegativity. Take, for example, KCl. | A covalent bond will most likely be formed when the electronegativities of the merging atoms are not significantly different from one another. Take, for example, HCl. |
Properties of electrovalent bond:
- Electrovalent bonds are the most powerful of all types of bonds due to their high strength.
- Given that electrovalent bonds have charge separation, they are the most reactive of all the bonds when they are formed in the proper media.
- The melting and boiling points of electrovalent bonded molecules are remarkably high in comparison to other molecules.
- Aqueous solutions or liquids containing electrovalent-bonded molecules are excellent conductors of electricity because the presence of ions, which act as charge carriers, makes them good conductors of electricity.
- Electrovalent compounds are typically found as solids in nature.
- Electrovalent compounds have a crystal structure that can be observed.
- Electrovalent bonds are not formed between metal and a nonmetal.
Conclusion:
If two oppositely charged ions in a chemical compound are attracted to each other by electrostatic attraction, they form an ionic bond, which is also known as an electrovalent bond.
A chemical bond is formed between two atoms when one or more electrons from one atom to the other are completely transferred. An ionic bond or an electrovalent bond are both terms used to describe this type of bond.
Electrovalent bonds can only form between metals and the nonmetals. There are no electrovalent bonds formed between two nonmetals when they are in contact.
A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share one or more electron pairs, resulting in the sharing of one or more electron pairs.
Electrovalent bonds are the most powerful of all types of bonds due to their high strength.
The melting and boiling points of electrovalent bonded molecules are remarkably high in comparison to other molecules.Electrovalent compounds are typically found as solids in nature.Electrovalent compounds have a crystal structure that can be observed.