Ionic Bonding is the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions
Nota:
You NEED to know this definition for the OCR chemistry exam - it is on the specification!
Cations (positive ions)
Metal Ions
Na +
Ca 2+
Al 3+
Ammonium Ions
NH4 +
Nota:
This is just a +1 charge
Anions (negative ions)
non-metal ions
Cl -
O 2-
Polyatomic Ions
NO3 -
SO4 2-
Occurs between a metal and a non-metal
Ionic Compounds
Dot and Cross diagrams
Outer-shell electrons from a metal atom are
transferred to the outer shell of a non-metal ion
Positive and negative ions
are formed
E.g/ Potassium Flouride, KF
E.g Magnesium Chloride, MgCl2
Structure of Ionic Compounds
Each ion attracts oppositely charged ions in ALL directions
Giant Ionic Lattice formed containing billions of ions.
E.g/ Sodium Chloride
Each Na+ ions is surrounded by 6 Cl- ions
Each Cl- ion is surrounded by 6 Na+ Ions
Each ion is surrounded by opposite
charged ions, forming a giant ionic lattice
Melting and Boiling Points
Almost all ionic compounds are solids at room temperature. This is because
there isn't enough energy to break the strong electrostatic forces of attraction
between the oppositely charged ions in the giant ionic alttice
High temperatures are needed to break the strong electrostatic forces = most ionic compounds have HIGH boiling points and melting points
Solubility
Most ionic compounds dissolve in polar solvents, such as
water. This is due to the polar water molecules, which
break down the lattice and surround each ion in solution
In a compound made of ions with large charges, the ionic
attraction may be too strong for water to be able to break down
the lattice structure = the compound isn't very soluble.
Solubility requires two main processes: 1) The ionic lattice must be broken down
2) Water molecules must attract and surround the ions
Be careful when predicting the solubility of a substance, as the
solubility of a compound in water depends on the relative
strengths of the attractions within the giant ionic lattice and the
attractions between ions and water molecules
Electrical Conductivity
In a solid state, an ionic compound doesn't conduct electricity. However, once
melted or dissolved in water, the ionic compound does conduct electricity.
In the solid state ...
... the ions are in a fixed position
in the giant ionic lattice
... there are no mobile charge carriers
When liquid or dissolved in water...
... the solid ionic lattice breaks down
... the ions are now free to move as
mobile charge carriers
Summary
Ionic compound have high melting and boiling points
Ionic compounds tend to dissolve in polar solvents such as water
Ionic compounds conduct electricity when
in liquid state or when in aqueous state