BornHaber cycles are enthalpy cycles, based on Hess's law, that allow us to determine the enthalpy changes involved

in the formation of ionic compounds.

Let's study the BornHaber cycle for sodium chloride. The enthalpy of elements in their standard states is set at zero.

This horizontal line represents the enthalpy of sodium chloride, NaCl.

This enthalpy change is the standard enthalpy change of formation of sodium chloride: Na(s) + Cl2(g) NaCl(s)

Let's look at the other route for the formation of sodium chloride. The first step involves the formation of gaseous sodium atoms.

This enthalpy change is the standard enthalpy change of atomisation of sodium: Na(s) Na(g)

The next step in the cycle involves the formation of gaseous chlorine atoms.

This enthalpy change is the standard enthalpy change of atomisation of chlorine: Cl2(g) Cl(g)

The next step in the cycle involves the formation of gaseous sodium ions.

This enthalpy change is the first ionisation enthalpy of sodium: Na(g) Na+(g) + e

The next step involves the formation of gaseous chloride ions.

This enthalpy change is the first electron affinity of chlorine: Cl(g) + e Cl(g)

The final step involves the formation of solid sodium chloride from gaseous sodium ions and chloride ions.

This enthalpy change is the lattice enthalpy for sodium chloride: Na+(g) + Cl(g) NaCl(s)

Lattice enthalpies are difficult to measure directly. The BornHaber cycle allows us to calculate a value for this enthalpy change.

The sum of all these enthalpy changes is equal to the lattice enthalpy. Let's look at the actual values.

These are the enthalpies in kJ mol1. When using Hess's law, remember to reverse the sign of the enthalpy change if you go against an arrow.

H LE (NaCl) =

H LE (NaCl) = (355)

H LE (NaCl) = (355 + 502)

H LE (NaCl) = (355 + 502 + 121)

H LE (NaCl) = (355 + 502 + 121 + 107)

1 H LE (NaCl) = (355 + 502 + 121 + 107) 411 = 786 kJ mol