Ionic Molecules

Ionic Molecules

Ionic and covalent bonds constitute the ends of a spectrum of bonding possibilities. Ionic molecules are formed by the transfer of one or more electrons from one atom to another. This transfer results in the formation of cations and anions. These oppositely charged particles are then held tightly together by very strong Coulombic attractions. Equation 2 illustrates the formation of sodium chloride from the reaction of a sodium atom with a chlorine atom.

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Exercise 1 What is the valence shell electron configuration of a sodium ion? What is the valence shell electron configuration of a chloride ion?

Exercise 2 If the bond in a sodium chloride molecule were covalent, i.e. if the sodium and chlorine atoms shared a pair of electrons, what would the valence shell electron configuration of the sodium be? What would the valence shell electron configuration of the chlorine be?

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There are two properties that are characteristic of ionic molecules: 1. They are generally high melting solids 2. When dissolved in water, they produce solutions which conduct an electrical current.

From: http://usm.maine.edu/~newton/Chy251_253/Lectures/AcidBase/DynamicsFS.html