Ionic Compound

Top
Sub Topics

1. Ionic Compound Definition
2. Ionic Compound Formula
3. Ionic Compound Examples
4. Ionic and Molecular
Compounds
5. Ionic and Covalent
Compounds
6. Binary Ionic Compound
7. Rules for Naming Ionic
Compounds
8. Ionic Compounds List
9. Ionic Compound Properties
10. Ionic Compound
Characteristics
11. Ionic Compound
Nomenclature
12. Ionic Compound Practice
Substances resulting from the chemical combination of two or more elements in fixed
proportions are called compounds. Most elements do not exist in their free native state but are in
the combinations of two or more elements as chemical compounds. In ionic compounds the
constituent elements exist as ions. Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that carry a charge by
virtue of losing or gaining one or more electrons.

Ionic compounds result from the combination of a positive ion known as a cation and a negative
ion called an anion. Atoms in a compound are held together by covalent bonds. Bonds dictate
how atoms are held together in a compound or molecule, but ionic compounds are
composed of ions.

Ionic Compound Definition
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Definition of ionic compound

An ionic compound is composed of cations and anions joined together. Such compounds are held together by
electrostatic forces, and adopt structures that maximize the attraction of oppositely charged species and minimize the
repulsion between charged species with the same sign.
To define ionic compound in simple words "its a combination of metals with nonmetals."
Ionic Compound Formula
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Every ionic compound contains discrete ionic units with specific charges. In addition ionic compounds must always
contain equal amounts of positive and negative charge. These requirements dictate the ratio of cations to anions in
an ionic substance. The chemical formula of an ionic compound identifies its ionic units and the cation-to-anion ratio.

The following guidelines ensure uniformity in writing formulas for ionic compounds. The formula unit of an ionic
compound shows the
1. The cation is always listed before the anion.
2. The formula of any polyatomic ion is written as a unit.
3. Polyatomic ions are placed in parentheses with subscripts to indicate ratios different from 1:1.
Ionic Compound Examples
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A chemical compound must have a net charge of zero. If it contains ions, the charges of the ions must add up to zero
in the formula for the compound. An ionic compound exists as a group of charged atoms. The chemical formula for an
ionic compound represents the positive charge of the cation equals the negative charge of the anion. Consequently
the overall charge is zero, and the ionic compound is neutral.

Give two examples of an ionic compound

Example of an ionic compound is given by considering the two common ionic compounds.

1. Sodium chloride (NaCl)
2. Magnesium oxide (MgO)
Some example of ionic compound are listed below.
S.No Ionic compound Formula
1 Sodium bromide NaBr
2 Potassium sulfide K
2
S
3 Zinc sulfate ZnSO
4

4 Ammonium phosphate (NH
4
)
3
PO
4

5 Aluminum chromate Al
2
(CrO
4
)
3

Ionic and Molecular Compounds
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Compounds can be divided into two classes ionic or molecular compound. They are described in the following table.
The chemical formulas of the compounds show the elements that compose them.

Ionic vs molecular compounds table is given below.

S.No Ionic compounds Molecular compounds
1
Compounds are formed by combination of
reactive metals with reactive non metals.
Compounds are formed by the combination of
nonmetals with other non metals or with less
reactive metals.
2 Crystalline solids. Solids, liquids and gases.
3 Hard and brittle. Solids are brittle and weak or soft and waxy.
4 High melting points. Low melting points.
5 High boiling points. Low boiling points.
6
Good conductors of electricity when
molten, poor conductors of electricity and
heat when solid.
Poor conductors of heat and electricity.
7 Many are soluble in water.
Many are insoluble in water but soluble in
organic solvents.
Ionic and Covalent Compounds
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The ionic vs covalent compounds table is given below.
S.No Ionic compounds Covalent compounds
1 Crystalline solids (made of ions) Solids, liquids and gases (made of molecules)
2 High melting and boiling points. Low melting and boiling points.
3 Conduct electricity when melted. Poor electrical conductor in all phases.
4
Many soluble in water but net is non polar
liquids.
many soluble in non polar liquids but not soluble
in water.
Binary Ionic Compound
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Binary Ionic Compound Definition
A binary compounds contains only two elements. In a binary ionic compound, both of the elements are present ions.
The name of the compound consists of the name of the metal from which the cation was formed, by the name of
anion.

Potassium and Sulfur Ionic Compound
Consider an ionic compound formed when potassium reacts with sulfur. Potassium is a Group 1A metal, so a
potassium atom loses one electron to become a K
+
ion. Sulfur is a Group 6A nonmetal, so a sulfur atom gains two
electrons to become an S
2-
ion. To make the compound electrically neutral two K
+
ions are needed for each S
2-
ion.
Consequently the compound has the formula K2S.
Rules for Naming Ionic Compounds
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The following rules apply for naming ionic compounds.

1. A simple cation has the same name as its parent element.
2. The cation is always named first and the anion second.
3. A simple cation takes its name from the name of the element. For example, Na
+
is called sodium in the names
of compounds containing this ion.
4. A simple anion is named by taking the first part of the element name and adding -ide. Thus the Cl
-
ion is called
chloride.
5. In some cases the cation can assume more than one charge, the charge is specified by a Roman numeral in
parentheses.
Ionic Compounds List
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Ionic compounds are composed of cations and anions. The attraction between these oppositely charged ions is
called an ionic bond. The common ionic compound is given below as ionic compound table.

S.No Ionic compound Formula
1 Zinc oxide ZnO
2 Magnesium chloride MgCl
2

3 Copper sulfide CuS
4 Potassium bromide KBr
5 Calcium iodide CaI
2

6 Aluminum oxide Al
2
O
3

Ionic Compound Properties
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Properties of an Ionic Compound

The positive and negative ions formed during ionic bonding are held together by enormously strong forces of
attraction between the oppositely charged ions. These ionic bonds between the charged particles result in a giant
structure of ions.

Because the ions are held together tightly in these giant structures it takes a lot of energy to break all the bonds. As a
result ionic compound melting point and boiling points are high.
Ionic Compound Characteristics
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There are many important characteristics of compounds having ionic bonds.
1. An ionic compound is a collection of an equal number of positive and negative ions arranged in a three-
dimensional lattice.
2. Ionic compounds can be dissociated into their constituent ions with little effort.
3. Further they can be electrolyzed to produce elements or covalent molecules of the constituent atoms.
4. Water also weakens the attraction between the ions in an ionic compound.
5. This is why ionic compounds dissolve well in water.
6. Moreover ionic compounds can conduct electricity.
7. Most ionic compounds are made of metals.

Is Water an Ionic Compound?
Water is a polar solvent and polar and ionic compounds tend to dissolve in water. So water is ionic solvent.

Is SO
2
an Ionic Compound?
SO2 is not ionic but molecular compound, no electrons are actually transferred in the formation of this compound.

Is Salt an Ionic Compound?
Table salt is a familiar ionic compound formed from sodium and chlorine. Sodium forms an ion with a single positive
charge Na
+
and chlorine an ion with a single negative charge Cl
-
. The formula of salt is NaCl.

Is Sugar an Ionic Compound?
Sugar easily dissolve in water when we stir but its not an ionic compound. Sugar has many OH groups which forms
hydrogen bonds to water and hence its very soluble in water.
Ionic Compound Nomenclature
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An ionic compound contains a metal and a nonmetal. Ionic compounds are also known as salts. An ionic
compound is designated by giving the name of the cation first and then the name of the anion.

The nomenclature of ionic compounds involves three kinds of compounds

1. Binary compounds (only two elements)
2. Compounds of polyatomic ions (two or more elements that stay together and act as though they are one ion).
3. Compounds of multivalent ions (contains more than one charge)
Ionic Compound Practice
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Example problems are given based on ionic compound.
Solved Examples
Question 1: Write the formula for these binary ionic compounds.

1. Barium hydride
2. Sodium fluoride
3. Calcium oxide

Solution:

Write the formula of the positive ion and then the formula of the negative ion. Remember that the number of positive
and negative charges must be equal. Show the ratio of each ion in the formula of the compound by subscripts. Where
only one of either ion is present, do not show a subscript.

1. BaH2
2. NaF
3. CaO


Question 2: Name these ionic compounds each of which contains a polyatomic ion.

1. NaNO3
2. CaCO3
3. (NH4)2SO3
4. NaH2PO4

Solution:

To name ionic compounds containing polyatomic ions, name the positive ion first and then the negative ion, each as
a separate word.

1. Sodium nitrate
2. Calcium carbonate
3. Ammonium sulfite
4. Sodium dihydrogen phosphate

Salt and baking powder (sodium bicarbonate) are both ionic
compounds. Anything that is a metal and nonmetal bonded together is
an ionic compound.
NaCl - sodium chloride - table salt

KCl - potassium chloride - present in "light" salt (mixed with NaCl)

CaCl2 - calcium chloride - driveway salt

NaOH - sodium hydroxide - found in some surface cleaners as well as oven and drain cleaners

CaCO3 - calcium carbonate - found in calcium supplements

NH4NO3 - ammonium nitrate - found in some fertilizers
Ionic compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The crystal structure of sodium chloride, NaCl, a typical ionic compound. The purple spheres
represent sodium cations, Na
+
, and the green spheres represent chlorideanions, Cl

.
In chemistry, an ionic compound is a chemical compound in which ions are held together in a
lattice structure by ionic bonds. The positively charged ions are calledcations and the negatively
charged ions are called anions. These can be simple ionswhere a single atom has a charge
imbalance, or polyatomic ions made of multiple atoms. Ions in ionic compounds are held together by
the electrostatic forcesbetween oppositely charged bodies. Individual ions can have multiple nearest
neighbours, so are not considered to be part of molecules, but instead part of a continuous network.
Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points, and they are hard and very brittle. As solids
they are almost always electrically insulating, but when melted or dissolved they become
highly conductive, because the ions are mobilized.
Contents
[hide]
1 Nomenclature
2 Characteristics
3 Structure
4 Solubility
5 Electrical conductivity
6 See also
7 References
o 7.1 Bibliography
Nomenclature[edit]
According to the nomenclature defined by IUPAC, in the most simple case of a binary ionic
compound with no possible ambiguity about the stoichiometry, the common name is written using
two words.
[1]
The name of the cation comes first, followed by the name of the anion.
[2]
For example,
MgCl2 is named magnesium chloride, and Na2SO4 is named sodium sulfate (SO4
2
, sulfate, is an
example of a polyatomic ion). To obtain the empirical formula from these names, the stoichiometry
can be deduced from the charges on the ions, and the requirement of overall charge neutrality.
If the oxidation state of the cation is ambiguous, Stock nomenclature requires the oxidation
number to be written in Roman numerals in parentheses directly after the name of the anion (without
a space separating them). For example, FeSO4 is named iron(II) sulfate (with the 2+ charge on
the Fe
2+
ions balancing the 2 charge on the sulfate ion), whereas Fe2(SO4)3is named iron(III)
sulfate (because the two iron ions in each formula unit have a charge of 3+, to balance the 2 on
each of the three sulfate ions). If the Classical naming system is being used, some ionic compounds
have special "old" names, such as ferrous and ferric, for iron(II) and iron(III) respectively, and
cuprous and cupric, for copper(I) and copper(II) respectively, so under that system Fe2(SO4)3 is
named ferric sulfate.
Characteristics[edit]
Ions can be single atoms, as the sodium and chlorine in common table salt sodium chloride, or more
complex groups such as the carbonate in calcium carbonate. But to be considered an ion, they must
carry a positive or negative charge. Thus, in an ionic bond, one 'bonder' must have a positive charge
and the other a negative one. By sticking to each other, they resolve, or partially resolve, their
separate charge imbalances. Positive to positive and negative to negative ionic bonds do not occur.
Chemical compounds are never strictly ionic. Even the most electronegative/electropositive pairs
such as caesium fluorideexhibit a degree of covalency. Similarly, covalent compounds often exhibit
charge separations. See also HSAB theory.
Ionic compounds have very strong electrostatic bonds between particles. As a result, they generally
have very high melting and boiling points and a low vapour pressure.
[3]
They also have good
electrical conductivity when molten or in an aqueous solution.
[4]
Ionic inorganic compounds typically
have high melting points so are solids at room temperature and usually form crystals. Unlike organic
compounds they do not char nor ignite. On the other hand organic compounds have low melting
points, most of them are insoluble in water, and characteristically they ignite quite easily.
[5]

The ions produced by electron transfer attract each other by electrostatic attraction and this creates
an ionic bond.
Structure[edit]
Ions typically pack into extremely regular crystalline structures, in an arrangement that minimizes
the Coulomb energy(maximizing attractions and minimizing repulsions). For spherical ions (including
all simple ions), the arrangement of anions in these systems are often related to close-
packed arrangements of spheres, with the cations occupying interstices. Depending on
the stoichiometry of the ionic compound, and the coordination (principally determined by
the size ratio) of cations and anions, a variety of structures are commonly observed.
[6]

Common ionic compound structures with close-packed anions
[6]

Stoichiometry
Cation:anion
coordination
Interstitial sites
occupied
Cubic close
packing
Hexagonal close
packing
MX 6:6 all octahedral sodium chloride nickel arsenide

4:4 alternate tetrahedral zinc blende wurtzite
MX2 8:4 all tetrahedral fluorite

Common ionic compound structures with close-packed anions
[6]

Stoichiometry
Cation:anion
coordination
Interstitial sites
occupied
Cubic close
packing
Hexagonal close
packing

6:3
half octahedral (alternate
layers fully occupied)
cadmium chloride cadmium iodide
MX3 6:2 one-third octahedral
chromium(III)
chloride
[7]

bismuth iodide
M2X3 6:4 two-thirds octahedral

corundum
ABO3

two-thirds octahedral

ilmenite
AB2O4

one-eighth tetrahedral and
one-half octahedral
spinel, inverse
spinel
olivine
In some cases the anions take on a simple cubic packing, and the resulting common structures
observed are:
Common ionic compound structures with simple cubic packed anions
[7]

Stoichiometry Cation:anion coordination Interstitial sites occupied Example structure
MX 8:8 all filled cesium chloride
MX2 8:4 half filled calcium fluoride
M2X 4:8 half filled lithium oxide
Solubility[edit]
Following the aphorism, "like dissolves like", ionic compounds dissolve most readily in polar
solvents (such as water) or ionic liquids. Ionic compounds tend not to dissolve in nonpolar
solvents (such as diethyl ether or petrol/gasoline).
When the oppositely charged ions in the solid ionic lattice are surrounded by the opposite pole of a
polar molecule, the solid ions are pulled out of the lattice and into the liquid. When this force is more
than the electrostatic attraction of the lattice, the ions become dissolved in the liquid.
Electrical conductivity[edit]
Although ionic compounds contain charged atoms or clusters, they do not typically conduct
electricity when they are in thesolid state. In order to conduct, the charged particles must
be mobile rather than stationary in a crystal lattice. When the ionic compounds are dissolved in a
liquid or are themselves melted into a liquid, they can conduct electricity because the ions become
mobile.
[8]

In some unusual materials, fast ion conductors, one or more of the ionic components in the solid
phase has a significant mobility, allowing conductivity.
What are Some
Examples of Covalent
Compounds?
Covalent Compounds


By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry Expert

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Ethyl alcohol or ethanol is an example of a molecular compound containing
atoms joined by covalent bonds. Ben Mills
These are examples of covalent bonds and covalent compounds. Covalent
compounds also are known as molecular compounds. Organic compounds, such
as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, are all examples of
molecular compounds. You can recognize these compounds because they
consist of nonmetals bonded to each other.
PCl
3

CH
3
CH
2
OH
O
3
- ozone
H
2
- hydrogen
H
2
O - water
HCl - hydrogen chloride
CH
4
- methane
NH
3
- ammonia
CO
2
- carbon dioxide


Ionic compounds include many everyday's substances that we are familiar with table salt (NaCl),
baking soda (NaHCO
3
), milk of magnesia (Mg(OH)
2
) and calcium carbonate (CaCO
3
) used as antacids.
Ionic compounds also include ionic crystals such as those found in naturally occurring gems, including
ruby (Al
2
O
3
) and sapphires.
- ionic compounds are generically called salts.

Covalent Compounds
Covalent compounds are more predominant than ionic compounds and are made of elements that are
non-metals. They include substances that we already know such as water (H
2
O), table sugar (sucrose =
C
12
H
22
O
11
), propane gas (C
3
H
8
), and drugs such as the antibiotic amoxicillin (C
16
H
19
N
3
O
5
S) and the
antidepressant Prozac (C
17
H
18
F
3
NO).
- covalent compounds are referred to as molecules.
PCl
3

CH
3
CH
2
OH
O
3
- ozone
H
2
- hydrogen
H
2
O - water
HCl - hydrogen chloride
CH
4
- methane
NH
3
- ammonia
CO
2
- carbon dioxide
More Bonding Examples
Examples of Ionic Bonds - Ionic Compounds
Examples of Compounds with Mixed Bonds
Learn About Chemical Bonding
Types of Chemical Bonds
Difference Between Ionic and Covalent Bonds
Types of Bonds Formed by Carbon
Video - Ionic Versus Covalent Bond
Online Chemistry Text - Chemical Bonds



Sodium bromide is used in conjunction with chlorine as a disinfectant for swimming pools.
Potassium sulfide is the inorganic compound with the formula K
2
S. The colourless solid is rarely
encountered, because it reacts readily with water, a reaction that affords potassium hydrosulfide (KSH)
and potassium hydroxide (KOH). Most commonly, the term potassium sulfide refers loosely to this
mixture, not the anhydrous solid.
Use in fireworks[edit]
Potassium sulfides are formed when black powder is burned and are important intermediates in many
pyrotechnic effects, such as senko hanabi and some glitter formulations.
[3]

Uses
This medication is a mineral used to treat or prevent low levels of zinc.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional
labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a
condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This medication may also be used to promote wound healing.
Ammonium phosphates are inorganic salts derived from the reaction between ammonia and phosphoric
acid. They are produced as solids and fluids and they may contain phosphate values in ortho- (usually
solid) and/or polyphosphate (usually fluid) form. The vast bulk of ammonium phosphate products are
produced and consumed as solid materials. This report concentrates on the use of ammonium
phosphates as fertilizers, which accounts for nearly 98% of total use, but brief mention is made of
animal feed and industrial uses in the United States.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of all solid ammonium phosphates:

Apparent world consumption of solid ammonium phosphate grew at an average annual rate of 2.6%
during 19932013, but grew at 3.4% during 19992013. Growth is forecast at 3.5% annually during
20132018. Ammonium phosphates will continue to grow at a faster rate than other complex
phosphate materials.
Ammonium phosphates are consumed primarily in fertilizer applications, although minor amounts are
used in animal feeds and industrial applications. The leading industrial applications include fire control
and flame-retardant applications. Animal feed and industrial applications combined consume less than
3% of total world apparent consumption.
Chromate conversion coating is a type of conversion coating used
topassivate aluminum, zinc, cadmium, copper, silver, magnesium, and tin alloys.
[1]
It is primarily used as
a corrosion inhibitor, primer, decorative finish, or to retainelectrical conductivity. The process is named
after the chromate found in chromic acid, also known as hexavalent chromium,
[2]
the chemical most
widely used in the immersion bath process whereby the coating is applied. However, hexavalent
chromium is toxic, thus, highly regulated,
[3]
so new, non-hexavalent chromium-based processes are
becoming more readily available at a commercial level.
[4]
One alternative contains trivalent chromium.
The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive is commonly referred to regarding elimination
of hexavalent chromium.
Chromate conversion coatings are commonly applied to everyday items such as hardware and tools, and
can usually be recognized by their distinctively iridescent, greenish-yellow color.
Ozone can be used for combustion reactions and combusting gases; ozone provides higher
temperatures than combusting in dioxygen (O2).
Hydrogen is the lightest and most common element in the cosmos. Its atomic number is 1. In its
elemental state, hydrogen is rare. But it is one of the components of water and vital to life.
Common Uses of Hydrogen
It is primarily used to create water. Hydrogen gas can be used for metallic ore reduction. Chemical
industries also use it for hydrochloric acid production. The same hydrogen gas is required for atomic
hydrogen welding (AHW).