Ionic bonding

The bond of opposite charges holding ions together.

Forms between atoms with significantly different electronegativites. If there is small
electronegativity difference between atoms a covalent bond will most likely form.
The compounds formed are electrically neutral. They are held by electrostatic attraction of
oppositely charged ions.

Formation of ions
Cations form when an electron is lost. There are more protons than electrons so it is
positively charged. They form from metal atoms, because they have low ionization energies,
meaning that electrons are easily lost.
Anions form when an electron is gained. There are more electrons than protons resulting in
it being negatively charged. They form from non metal atoms, because they have high
ionization energies and high electronegativities. This means that they will be less likely to
loose electrons and more likely to gain them.
Positive ions are smaller and negative ions are bigger than the parent atom.
Cations loose valence electrons, meaning they have one less shells, so are smaller.
Anions gain electrons in the outer shell meaning that there are more forces of repulsion and
the electrons move away from each other, increasing radius.
Ions form in order for the atom to have full outer shells, reaching the noble gas electronic
configuration.

Giant ionic lattice
Ions bond together forming a giant lattice with a repetitive pattern.
Cations are surround by the anions, and they can be in different ratios.
They are held together by bonds, which keep
them in place so a structure is formed
They vibrate around a fixed position

Isoelectreonic ions
Eg. N3-,O2-,,Al3+
They have identical electronic configuration,
however they differ in size.
N3- is the biggest in the group, and Al3+ is the
smallest.
This is the result of all of them having the
same negative charge from outer electronis,
but different positive nuclear charge from the
protons.
Al3+ has the highest nuclear charge, and the
most protons, so the electrons on its outer
shell will experience the highest attractive
force.
This mean that they will be more tightly held, resulting in a smaller radius of the ion.

Conductivity


Solid ions do not conduct electricity. In the lattice all ions are still and tightly packed
together so they cannot move, also there are no delocalized electrons. This means that
there are no charge carriers in the lattice.
When ions are molten or dissolved, the electrostatic attraction between the ions is
overcome.
The lattice is broken down and ions are free to move. It can now conduct electricity if a
potential difference is applied.
Positive cations will move to the
negatively charged cathode, where
they are reduced to atoms (gain
electrons)
Negative anions move to the positively
charged anode, where they are
oxidized (loose electrons)
The movement of ions allows charge to
flow around the molten substance.

Solubility and melting points
Ionic compounds are soluble in water because they
carry charges.
Water molecules have a permanent dipole,
attaching to charged ions through electrostatic
attraction.
Ions are separated from the lattice and and bond
with water
The high melting points result from the strength of
ionic bonds
There are a lot of very strong bonds in the lattice
When heated ions start vibrating until they
overcome the forces of attraction and can liberate
A lot of energy needs to be supplied for that, hence
giving ions high melting points

Evidence for ionic bonds
Evidence for ionic bonding is when molten substance conducts electricity and new
compounds are formed due to the oxidation and reduction of ions at the cells terminals.
Ionic compounds have very high melting points. This is due to the very strong electrostatic
forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions, hence requiring a lot of energy to
break them.
Some covalent substances have high melting points as well (eg. Diamond), however they are
insoluble in water, so can be distinguished from ionic substances.
High melting point and solubility in water provides strong evidence for ionic bonding.

Factors affecting lattice energy
In a lattice each ions is surrounded by a number of ions of opposite charge, giving the strong
forces of attraction and repulsion.


Strength of these forces depends on:
Charges on ions
Arrangements of ions
Extent of covalency
Sum of radii of cations and anions (how close their
centres are together)
Relative sizes of ions
If a small cation is surrounded by too many large
anions, there will be a lot of repulsion between the
anions, weaking the bond.

Polarisation of the anion
Positive cation exerts an attraction force on the
electron in the anion. If the electrons are
significantly pulled, the anion is polarized.
This means that ions are not spherical anymore, a
cloud of electron forms between them altering
their initial shape.
Cations with high charge and small radius have a
high polarizing power.
Polarizing power is measured by the charge density
of the cation.
Anions with high charge and large radius are easily polarized.
Polarisation causes bonds to be slightly covalent, and can lower the melting temperature

Questions
1. Draw a dot and cross diagram for sodium chloride.
2. Describe how ions can conduct electricity.
3. What determines the strength of an ionic bond?
4. Explain how ions of the same electronic configuration can differ in size.
5. Describe what is polarization.
6. What is the difference between cations and anions.
7. How to determine whether a substance is ionic or not?
8. Describe the melting points of ions.