What is the melting point of ionic compounds?

1 Answer
anor277
May 5, 2016

Well, it's usually high.

Explanation:

Ionic compounds are non-molecular species, and melting requires that the strong ionic bonds that constitute the electrostatic lattice be disrupted. It clearly requires high temperatures.

By way of example, sodium chloride has a melting point of #801# #""^@C#, sodium fluoride, #993# #""^@C#, sodium bromide, #747# #""^@C#, and sodium iodide, #661# #""^@C#. Given the size of the anion, can you rationalize the observed melting points?

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