Section 1f: ionic compounds

Main ideas about ionic compounds

When they react with each other some elements form ionic compounds to obtain noble gas electronic
configuration (i.e. a full outer shell).
During a chemical reaction only valence electrons in the atoms are involved.
During the formation of an ionic bond valence electrons are transferred between the reacting atoms.
Metal atoms lose electrons.
Non-metal atoms gain electrons.
Diagrams showing how the electron arrangement changes during the formation of an ionic bond
between a sodium atom and a chlorine atom
Formation of sodium chloride from sodium and chlorine atoms
sodium atom

chlorine atom

sodium ion

chloride ion

protons
electrons
neutrons
charge
electronic
configuration

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

Draw an atomic diagram to the full electronic configuration for both the sodium and chlorine
atom, use the symbol of the element to symbolize the nucleus. For each atom, write in the
number of subatomic particles.
Now you need to show the electron transfer that will occur between the sodium and chlorine
atom. Use an arrow to show which valence electron (electron in most outer shell) will be
transferred and in which direction.
Draw on the product side what the sodium and chlorine particle look like after the electron
transfer from step 2. Shells without electrons are not drawn.
Complete the number of subatomic particles for each new particle on the product
side and calculate its charge. Place square brackets around each sodium and chloride particle
and write the charge on the outside of the right bracket at the top. The particle inside he bracket
is called an ion.

What is an ion?
A shorter way of drawing the changes in electron arrangement.
Draw the same diagram as above again but with only the valence electrons in it.
What if the number of electrons lost is different from the number of electrons gained?
For instance, an oxygen atom needs to gain two electrons but a sodium atom only has one valence
electron to give.
Idea: The number of electrons lost or gained must be the same so that the overall positive charge is equal
to the overall negative charge. The number of electrons transferred per atom determines the ratio in which
the atoms react.
Use a diagram showing the valence electrons only to show how you think sodium and oxygen will react?

Now do the same for: barium and chlorine, aluminium and chlorine, aluminium and oxygen, aluminium and
nitrogen.