CHAPTER 6

Ionic Bonding

© 2013 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

© 2014 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd
(Formerly known as Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited)
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Chapter 6 Ionic Bonding

6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration of

a Noble Gas

6.2 Forming Ions

6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of Ionic

Compounds
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6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration
of a Noble Gas

Learning Outcome

At the end of this section, you should be able to:

• describe the stable electronic configuration of

a noble gas.

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6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration
of a Noble Gas

What are Noble Gases?

• Elements that belong to Group 0 of the

Periodic Table

• Examples: He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Rn

• Atoms of noble gases are stable and

unreactive.
• They exist in nature as single atoms.

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6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration
of a Noble Gas

What is the Noble Gas Structure?

• Noble gases have full or complete outer shells.

Helium has a duplet configuration

(2 outer electrons).

All other noble gases have an octet configuration

(8 outer electrons).
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6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration
of a Noble Gas

Why Do Atoms React?

• Atoms of most other elements are reactive

because they do not have the noble gas structure
(i.e. their outer shells are not fully-filled).

• Atoms of these elements lose, gain or share outer

electrons to attain the noble gas configuration
and form compounds.

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6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration
of a Noble Gas

Chemical Bonding

Atoms gain or lose Atoms share electrons

electrons to attain to attain noble gas
noble gas configuration configuration

Ionic bonding Covalent bonding

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Chapter 6 Ionic Bonding

6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration of a

Noble Gas

6.2 Forming Ions

6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of Ionic

Compounds
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6.2 Forming Ions

Learning Outcome

At the end of this section, you should be able to:

• describe the formation of positive ions (cations)

and negative ions (anions) to achieve the noble
gas configuration.

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6.2 Forming Ions

What is an Ion?

Recall:
Atoms have an equal number of
protons and electrons. They are
electrically neutral.

• An atom loses or gains electrons to form ions.

• Ions are charged particles.

No. of electrons ≠ No. of protons

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 6.2 Forming Ions

What is an Ion?

• Ions can be positively- or negatively-charged.

• Positively-charged ions are called cations.

• Negatively-charged ions are called anions.

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6.2 Forming Ions

Formation of Cations

• Atoms of metals lose electrons to form

positively-charged ions called cations.

• In this way, they achieve the noble gas

configuration.

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6.2 Forming Ions

Example 1: Formation of sodium (Na+) ion

Na atom
Electronic configuration: 2, 8, 1
Number of protons = 11
Number of electrons = 11

The Na atom loses one outer electron to form the

Na+ ion. Why?
To achieve stable octet (noble gas) configuration.

Neon (2, 8) 13
6.2 Forming Ions

Example 1: Formation of sodium (Na+) ion

2, 8, 1 2, 8
+
sodium atom loses one
outer electron

Na atom: 11p, 12n, 11e Na+ ion: 11p, 12n, 10e

Charge = 11p + 11e Charge = 11p + 10e
= (+11) + (–11) = (+11) + (–10)
=0 = +1
Neutral Positively-charged
Na atom Na+ ion
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6.2 Forming Ions

Example 2: Formation of calcium (Ca2+) ion

2, 8, 8, 2 2, 8, 8
2+
calcium atom loses
two outer electrons

Ca atom: 20p, 20n, 20e Ca2+ ion: 20p, 20n, 18e

Charge = 20p + 20e Charge = 20p + 18e
= 20(+1) + 20(–1) = 20(+1) + 18(–1)
= (+20) + (–20) = 0 = (+20) + (–18) = +2

Neutral
Positively-charged
Ca atom
Ca2+ ion
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6.2 Forming Ions

Common Cations and Their Charges

Metal Ion Formula of ion

sodium sodium ion Na+

potassium potassium ion K+

calcium calcium ion Ca2+

magnesium magnesium ion Mg2+

aluminium aluminium ion Al3+

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6.2 Forming Ions

Formation of Anions

• Atoms of non-metals gain electrons to form

negatively-charged ions called anions.

• In this way, they achieve the noble gas

configuration.

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6.2 Forming Ions

Example 1: Formation of chloride (Cl–) ion

Cl atom
Electronic configuration: 2, 8, 7
Number of protons = 17
Number of electrons = 17

What happens in the formation of a chloride ion?

The chlorine atom gains one electron in its outer shell to
achieve a stable octet (noble gas) configuration.

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Argon (2, 8, 8)
6.2 Forming Ions

Example 1: Formation of chloride (Cl–) ion

2, 8, 7 2, 8, 8
chlorine atom gains
one electron

Cl atom: 17p, 18n, 17e Cl– ion: 17p, 18n, 18e

Charge = 17p + 17e Charge = 17p + 18e
= (+17) + (–17) = (+17) + (–18)
=0 = –1

Neutral Negatively charged

Cl atom Cl– ion 19
6.2 Forming Ions

Example 2: Formation of oxide (O2–) ion

2, 6 2, 8
oxygen atom gains 2–
two electrons

O atom: 8p, 8n, 8e O2– ion: 8p, 8n, 10e

Charge = 8p + 8e Charge = 8p + 10e
= (+8) + (–8) = (+8) + (–10)
=0 = –2

Neutral Negatively charged

O atom O2– ion
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6.2 Forming Ions

Common Anions and Their Charges

Non-metal Ion Formula of ion

chlorine chloride ion Cl–

bromine bromide ion Br–

oxygen oxide ion O2–

sulfur sulfide ion S2–

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Chapter 6 Ionic Bonding

6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration of a

Noble Gas

6.2 Forming Ions

6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of Ionic

Compounds
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6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:

• describe how an ionic bonds are formed

between metals and non-metals.

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6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

Ionic Bonding
• Ionic bonds are formed between metals and
non-metals.

Examples: Examples:
Group VII: Fluorine, chlorine Group I: Sodium, potassium
Group VI: Oxygen, sulfur Group II: Magnesium, calcium

• This is done through the transfer of electron(s)

from metals to non-metals.

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6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

Ionic Bonding

Metallic atom Non-metallic atom

loses electron(s) gains electron(s)

Positive ion Negative ion

(cation) (anion)
electrostatic forces of
attraction
(hold oppositely charged
ions together) 25
6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

Formation of Ionic Compound

Example 1: Sodium chloride

Step 1: Formation of Positive Ions

Each sodium atom (Na) loses its single outer electron
to form a positively-charged sodium ion (Na+).

Na Na+ + e−
2, 8, 1 2, 8

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6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

Step 2: Formation of Negative Ions

Each chlorine atom gains an electron from a

sodium atom to form a negatively-charged
chloride ion (Cl−).

Cl + e− Cl –
2, 8, 7 2, 8, 8

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 6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

Step 3: Formation of Ionic Bonds

Electrostatic forces
Loses Gains of attraction
one electron one electron

Sodium atom Chlorine atom Sodium ion Chloride ion

2, 8, 1 2, 8, 7 2, 8 2, 8, 8

Sodium and chlorine react in the ratio of 1 : 1 to form

sodium chloride (NaCl).
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6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

Example 2: Magnesium chloride

Magnesium Chlorine atoms
atom loses two gain one electron each.
electrons.

Chloride ion Magnesium Chloride ion

2, 8, 8 ion 2, 8, 8
2, 8

Magnesium reacts with chlorine in the ratio of 1 : 2

to form magnesium chloride (MgCl2).
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Chapter 6 Ionic Bonding

6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration of a

Noble Gas

6.2 Forming Ions

6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of Ionic

Compounds
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6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:

• deduce the chemical formula of an ionic compound

from the charges on the ions and vice versa.

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6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

How Do We Name an Ionic Compound?

There are some general rules in naming an ionic
compound:

•A compound made from two elements has a name that

ends with ‘–ide’.
E.g. sodium chloride, zinc oxide, carbon dioxide

•Compounds that contain the hydroxide ion (OH–) is named

a hydroxide.
E.g. potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide

•Compounds containing negatively charged polyatomic ions

usually have names ending with ‘–ate’.
E.g. copper(II) sulfate, sodium nitrate 32
6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

How Do We Write the Chemical Formulae

of Compounds?
• The symbol of the metallic
ClNa NaCl
element is written first.
• The number of atoms is written MgCO MgCO3
3
as a subscript to the right of
the atom’s symbol.
MgC 3
O
• The subscripts are the simplest
Ca2O2 CaO
set of whole numbers.
• Do not write the subscript ‘1’. ZnO Zn1O1
• If there is more than one
polyatomic ion, the formula of Cu(OH) CuOH
2 2
that ion is placed within
brackets. 33
6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

• The formula of an ionic compound is

constructed by balancing the charges on the
positive and negative ions.

• All the positive charges must equal all the

negative charges in an ionic compound.

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6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

Example: Magnesium oxide

Magnesium forms Oxygen forms

Mg2+ ions. O2− ions.

Mg2+ O2−
Charge: +2 Charge: −2

Since 1 × (+2 charge) balances out 1 × (−2 charge),

The formula is MgO.

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6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

Example: Copper(II) hydroxide

Copper ion Hydroxide ion

Cu2+ OH−
Charge: +2 Charge: −1

To balance the charges, multiply the smaller charge (−1) by

2 to make it equal to +2.

Since 1 × (+2 charge) balances out 2 × (−1 charge),

The formula is Cu(OH)2.
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6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

Deriving Chemical Formula

1. Write down the ions with the charges.
E.g. Xm+ Yn−

2. Move the values m and n diagonally

(without the charges).

3. The formula will be XnYm.

X m+ + Yn –

XY 37
6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

Example 1
Write the chemical formula of aluminium oxide.

aluminium ion oxide ion

Al 3 + O 2−
Charge: +3 Charge: −2

Al2O3
Therefore, the formula is Al2O3.
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 6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

Example 2
Write the chemical formula of calcium carbonate.

calcium ion carbonate ion

Ca 2 + CO3 2 −
Charge: +3 Charge: −2

Ca2(CO3)2 CaCO3
Since ‘2’ is a common factor, it can be removed.
Therefore, the formula is CaCO3.
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Chapter 6 Ionic Bonding

6.1 The Stable Electronic Configuration of a

Noble Gas

6.2 Forming Ions

6.3 Ionic Bond: Transferring Electrons

6.4 Chemical Formulae of Ionic Compounds

6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of

Ionic Compounds
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6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:

• state that ionic compounds form giant lattice

structures;

• deduce the formulae of ionic compounds from their

lattice structures;

• relate the physical properties of ionic compounds to

their lattice structures.
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6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Structure of Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds form giant ionic structures.

Also known as giant lattice structures or

crystal lattices

Consist of an endlessly repeating three-dimensional

lattice of positive and negative ions

Ions are closely packed, arranged in an orderly

manner and held in place by ionic bonds
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6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Structure of NaCl

Sodium chloride Three-dimensional

crystal arrangement of sodium
ions and chloride ions

Sodium ions and chloride ions

alternate with each other. 43
6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Structure of NaCl

Strong forces of attraction Na+

Cl– Na+
between ions in crystal Cl –
Cl– Na+
Cl– Na+
Na+
lattice
–
Cl Na+ Cl–
Na + Na+ Cl–
Cl– Na+
Cl– Na+
Cl–
+ Cl– Na+
Na –
Cl
Na+ Cl–
+
Na Cl– Na+ Cl–

A large amount of energy –

Cl Na+
Na+ Cl–
Na+
Cl– Na+

is required to overcome
–
Cl Na+
Cl– Na+
Na+ Cl– Cl–

these forces of attraction

+
Na Cl–
Na+ Cl–
Na+

between ions.

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6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Structure of NaCl
Cl− ion

Each chloride ion is

surrounded by six sodium
ions.

Na+ ion
Each sodium ion is
surrounded by six chloride
ions.

The ratio of sodium ions to chloride ions is 1 : 1.

Hence, the formula unit of sodium chloride is NaCl. 45
6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Melting and Boiling Points of

Ionic Compounds
• High melting and boiling Na+
Cl– Na+
points Cl –
Na+ –
Cl– Na+
Cl– Na+
Cl Na+ Cl–
Na + Na+ Cl–
Cl– Na+
Cl– Na+
• Non-volatile Cl–
Na+
–
Cl
Na+ Cl–
Cl– Na+

+
Na Cl– Na+ Cl–
Na+ Cl–
Na+ Cl–
• Exist as solids at room
–
Cl Na+ Na+
Cl– Na+
Cl– Na+
Na+ Cl– Cl–
temperature +
Na Cl–
Na+ Cl–
Na+

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 6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Solubility of Ionic Compounds

• Usually soluble in water

Cl–

Na+ Cl– Na+ Na+

dissolve in water
Cl– Na+ Cl–

Na+ Cl– Na+

Na+

Water Cl–
molecules

• Usually insoluble in organic solvents

E.g. ethanol, turpentine, petrol 47
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6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Electrical Conductivity of Ionic Compounds

solid NaCl
aqueous NaCl

molten NaCl

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6.5 Structure and Physical Properties of
Ionic Compounds

Electrical Conductivity of Ionic Compounds

• Ionic compounds conduct electricity in the molten
and aqueous states.

• They do not conduct electricity in the solid state.

• In the molten and aqueous states, mobile ions are

present.

• Mobile ions conduct electricity.

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Chapter 6 Ionic Bonding

Concept Map

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Chapter 6 Ionic Bonding

The URLs are valid as at 15 November 2014.

Acknowledgements
(slide 1) lightning © Siwei CD
(slide 43) halite(salt) © USGS | public domain
(slides 43–44, 46) sodium chloride 3D ionic © Benjah-bmm27 |
Wikimedia Commons | public domain
(slide 45) sodium chloride crystal © H Padleckas | Wikimedia Commons |
public domain

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