|
Ionic bonding takes place between metals and non-metals creating a giant structure of repeating ions. In this section we take a look at the nature of the ionic bond. |
|
An ionic bond is an electrostatic force between positive and negative ions. This electrostatic force in non-directional, it acts in all directions. The strength of the force depends on the magnitude of the charges on the ions and the sum of the ionic radii.
But what determines whether a compound is ionic or covalent?
If the bonding atoms have a large difference in electronegativity then this causes transfer of electrons and the formation of ionic compounds. As the difference in electronegativity decreases, the bond develops covalent character until eventually it becomes essentially covalent.
Notice that this process is not black and white. The bond type changes gradually from pure ionic to pure covalent, passing through all degrees.
Pure ionic >>> ionic with covalent character >>> polarised covalent >>> pure covalent
Pure ionic compounds are formed by group 1 metals when combining with non-metals. These are highly electropositive, having electronegativity values of between 0.7 and 1.0.
However, when the electronegativity value of the metal is higher, the bonding has a degree of covalent character. This means that the negative ion electron density is distorted and drawn towards the metal ion. There is some electron density between the two particles, typical of covalent bonding. This can be seen on electron density maps produced in X-ray crystallography. Instead of the electron density being symmetrical around the ions, it is distorted towards the positive ions.
.gif)
The
classic example is aluminium chloride. Aluminium is a metal from group 13 and
consequently forms Al3+ ions. However, it is not very electropositive
and the high charge density of the small Al3+ ion allows it to polarise
the negative charge cloud on negative ions formed from atoms of lesser electronegativity.
Aluminium oxide is an ionic compound, but aluminium chloride is only ionic in the solid state at low temperatures. At higher temperatures it becomes covalent. This is because the high charge density Al3+ ion can polarise the Cl- charge cloud, making an ionic bond with a high degree of covalent character, so much so that AlCl3 is usually considered to be covalent.
The difference in electronegativity between aluminium (1.5) and chlorine (3.0) is 1.5 units. This could be taken as a rough guide for the limit between ionic and covalent bonding.
When metals bond to non-metals if the difference in electronegativity is greater than 1.5, then the compound would be expected to be ionic, less that 1.5 and covalency is expected. It should be stressed that this is only an approximation and it is easy to find exceptions.
Consequences of covalent character
Covalent substances are molecular and usually have low melting and boiling points. They tend to dissolve in non-polar solvents, forming solutions that do not conduct electricity. Many covalent chorides are hydrolysed by water, forming hydrogen chloride. All of these facts can be used as pointers towards covalent character in ionic compounds.
Aluminium chloride is a covalent substance whose characteristics reflect this nature.
| compound | sodium chloride | aluminium chloride | silicon chloride |
|---|---|---|---|
| bonding | ionic | covalent | covalent |
| melting point /ºC | 801 | 190 (sublimes) | -69 |
| reaction with water | dissolves and dissociates into ions | hydrolysed 
HCl |
hydrolysed
HCl |
Magnesium chloride is an ionic substance. However, the small size and double charge of the magnesium ion causes a degree of covalent character. For example, evaporation of a solution of magnesium chloride produces 'basic' magnesium chloride - Mg(OH)Cl - showing that the magnesium chloride has been partially hydrolysed by water.
Even lithium chloride has a small degree of covalent character, being soluble in non-polar solvents.
|
Example: Magnesium chloride and silicon(IV) chloride have very different properties.
1. The valency comes from the group number, hence MgCl2 and SiCl4. 2. Magnesium chloride is ionic. It conducts electricity when molten or in aqueous solution. Silicon chloride does not conduct electricity. 3. Magnesium chloride is ionic, it dissolves in water and the ions dissociate. The pH is about 5 as magnesium chloride is weakly acidic by hydrolysis (it is the salt of a weak base and a strong acid)
Silicon(IV) chloride is hydrolysed by water: The solution formed has a pH of 1 as the HCl formed is a strong acid.
|
Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)