# What are ionic compounds?

Apr 23, 2014

An ionic compound is created through the electrochemical attraction between a positively charge metal or cation and a negatively charged non-metal or anion. If the charges of the cation and anion are equal and opposite, they will attract each other like the positive and negative poles of a magnet.

Lets take the ionic formula for Calcium Chloride is $C a C {l}_{2}$

Calcium is an Alkaline Earth Metal in the second column of the periodic table. This means that calcium has 2 valence electrons it readily gives away in order to seek the stability of the octet. This makes calcium a $C {a}^{+ 2}$ cation.

Chlorine is a Halogen in the 17th column or p5 group.
Chlorine has 7 valence electrons. It needs one electron to make it stable at 8 electrons in its valence shells. This makes chlorine a Cl^(−1) anion.

Ionic bonds form when the charges between the metal cation and non-metal anion are equal and opposite. This means that two Cl^(−1) anions will balance with one $C {a}^{+ 2}$ cation.

This makes the formula for calcium chloride, $C a C {l}_{2}$.

For the example Aluminum Oxide $A {l}_{2} {O}_{3}$

Aluminum has an oxidation state of +3 or Al+3
Oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 or O^−2

The common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6.?

We will need 2 aluminum atoms to get a +6 charge and 3 oxygen atoms to get a -6 charge. When the charges are equal and opposite the atoms will bond as $A {l}_{2} {O}_{3}$.