Why do ionic compounds include at least one metal?

1 Answer
Mar 25, 2018

Refer to the explanation.

Explanation:

Ionic compounds do not always include at least one metal. The polyatomic ammonium cation, #"NH"_4^(+)"#, is also found in ionic compounds.

Metals form cations that combine with nonmetallic anions or polyatomic anions. Metals lose their valence electrons to the anion or anions so that each will have a filled valence shell. The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond.

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