CHEMICAL BONDING Objectives The Formation of Bonds The Ionic Bond and the Transfer of Electrons The Properties

ties of Ionic Compounds Writing the Formulae of Ionic Compounds

The Formation of Bonds Atoms use their outer shell or valence electrons to form bonds. When they do this each atom in the bond acquires a stable electron configuration often similar to that of the noble gases. The stable structure can be achieved in one of the following ways: o Metals with one, two or three electrons in their outer shell may lose these electrons to become positively charged ions (cations) o Non-metals with five, six or seven electrons in their outer shells may gain electrons, acquiring the electronic structure of the next noble gas, and become negatively-charged ions (anions) o Two or more non-metallic elements with 4-7 outer electrons may also share electrons with each other to attain an electronic structure similar to that of noble gases The major types of chemical bonds, along with some common materials in which they occur are: o The ionic or electro-covalent bond: sodium chloride, copper (II) sulphate and calcium oxide o The covalent bond: water, glucose, propane and PVC o The metallic bond: iron, aluminium and zinc

The Ionic Bond and the Transfer of Electrons An ionic bond is formed when electrons are transferred from a metal atom to a non-metallic atom. The metal atom, on losing electron(s), becomes a positive ion or cation. The non-metal gains the electron(s) given up by the metal atom and becomes a negative ion, anion. Sodium chloride (NaCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and lithium oxide (Li2O) are examples of ionic compounds with ionic bonds. Attractions between the oppositely charged ions provide the binding forces which hold ionic compounds together. The figure below shows how electrons transfer takes place in the formation of sodium chloride.

Sodium chloride is a crystal and has a giant structure. It is an orderly arrangement of ions in which attractions of ions in which attractions between oppositely charged ions outweigh repulsions between ions of the same charge. Two models of the sodium crystal structure are shown below.

NOTE: Strictly speaking, the word molecule should not be used when referring to ionic compounds. The smallest part (entity) of an ionic compound is known as the formula unit The formula unit of sodium chloride consists of one sodium ion and one chloride ion.

The sodium chloride structure is a regular, repeating arrangement of ions. Each sodium ion is surrounded by six chloride ions as nearest neighbors. Each chloride ion, in turn, has 6 sodium ions as nearest neighbors. This arrangement of ions result in a closely packed 3-dimensional structure. Ionic compounds are said to consist of a giant structure of ions . The formation of sodium chloride can be used to illustrate many characteristics concerning the formation of all ionic compounds. Each combining atom becomes an ion with stable electronic configuration (usually that of a noble gas). For example, in the formation of sodium chloride, a sodium atom becomes the sodium ion (having the electronic configuration of neon) and the chlorine atom becomes the chloride ion. The chloride ion has the electronic configuration of the noble gas argon. The ionic compound has different properties from the elements from which it is made. The charge on each ion depends on the number of protons and electrons in it. For example, the sodium ion [Na+] contains 11 protons and 10 electrons, whereas the oxide ion [O2-] contains 8 protons and 10 electrons.

The Properties of Ionic Compounds Ionic compounds: Are hard, brittle crystalline solids Have high melting points and heats of fusion Conduct electricity well when molten or when dissolved in water Do not conduct electricity in the solid state (most of them) dissolve readily in water React readily with each other in solution

Accounting for the Properties of Ionic Compounds Some of the properties of ionic compounds are accounted for in the table below Properties of Ionic Compounds Crystalline solid Reasons for Ionic Compounds Having these Properties Due to regular arrangement of ions, resulting from strong attractions between opposite charges On melting, ions are set free. These ions move to an oppositely charged electrode when a voltage is applied These high values indicate that the ions are strongly held, therefore lots of energy is needed to separate the ions.

Conduct electricity when molten

High melting points, high boiling points, high heats of fusion, high heats of vaporization

Writing the Formulae of Ionic Compounds Consider the compound calcium chloride. It is made up of calcium ions (Ca2+) and chloride ions (Cl-). The positive charge on the calcium ion = +2 The negative charge on the chloride ion = -1 The formula of calcium chloride is written such that the total positive charge equals the total negative charge. Each Ca2+ ion needs two Cl- ions to balance the charges. The formula is thus CaCl2. The formula of aluminium oxide and sodium sulphate can be determined as shown below. Table for Aluminium Oxide

Compound Elements Charge on ions For balance of charges Formula

Aluminium Oxide Aluminium (Al) Oxygen (O) +3 -2 Two aluminium ions are needed to balance the charge on three oxide ions Al2O3

Table for Sodium Sulphide

Compound Elements Charge on ions For balance of charges Formula

Sodium Sulphide Sodium (Na) Sulphur (S) +1 -2 Two sodium ions are needed to balance the charge on one sulphide ion Na2S
CHARGES ON SOME IONS

Charge 1+

Positive Ions Name of Ions Ammonium Copper (I) Hydrogen Lithium Potassium Silver Sodium

Formula NH4+ Cu+ H+ Li+ K+ Ag+ Na+

Charge 1-

2+

3+

Barium Calcium Copper (II) Iron (II) Lead (II) Magnesium Nickel (II) Strontium Zinc Tin (II) Aluminium Iron (III) Chromium (III)

Ba2+ Ca2+ Cu2+ Fe2+ Pb2+ Mg2+ Ni2+ Sr2+ Zn2+ Sn2+ Al3+ Fe3+ Cr3+

2-

Negative Ions Name of Ions Bromide Chloride Hydroxide Fluoride Iodide Nitrate Manganate (VII) Hydrogencarbonate Ethanoate Methanoate Carbonate Oxide Sulphate Sulphide Sulphite Chromate (VI) Dichromate (VI) Ethanedioate

Formula Br ClOHFINO3MnO4HCO3CH3COOHCOOCO32O2SO42S2SO32CrO42Cr2O72C2O42N3PO43-

3-

Nitride Phosphate

WORKSHEET 1. Use the data on the table to write the formulae of twenty widely different compounds. Name the compounds 2. Lithium chloride (LiCl) is an ionic compound. Draw diagrams to illustrate the formation of the ionic bond in lithium chloride. 3. Write the electronic configuration of the following ions: a) Li+ b) Mg2+ c) Fd) Al3+ e) Ca2+ f) S2g) N3h) H+ Which is the above ions have the same electron configuration as that of neon?

4. Complete the following table with the formulae of the ionic compounds that form between the anion and cation shown. Cation Cs+ Ba2+ In3+ Mn2+ Br CsBr
-

Anion S
2-

N3-

CO32-