Radius Ratio Rule

The radius ratio rule is a guideline used to predict the coordination number and geometry of
ions in ionic compounds. It states that for a stable ionic compound to form, the ratio of the
radii of the cation and anion must be within a certain range.

The rule is based on the principle that the distance between the ions in an ionic compound
should be such that the sum of their ionic radii is equal to the distance between their centers.
If the ratio of the radii is too large or too small, the ions will not be able to achieve this
optimal distance, and the compound may not be stable.

The radius ratio rule can be expressed mathematically as follows:

Coordination number (CN) = 0.155 (r_cation / r_anion) + 0.90

Where r_cation and r_anion are the ionic radii of the cation and anion, respectively, and CN
is the coordination number.

Using this formula, it is possible to predict the coordination number and geometry of an ionic
compound based on the sizes of its constituent ions. For example, if the ratio of the radii is
close to 1:1, a compound with a coordination number of 6 and an octahedral geometry is
predicted. If the ratio is closer to 1:2, a compound with a coordination number of 4 and a
tetrahedral geometry is predicted.

However, it should be noted that the radius ratio rule is a general guideline, and there can be
exceptions to the rule depending on various factors, such as the nature of the ions and the
presence of other forces in the system.

While the radius ratio rule is a useful guideline for predicting the coordination number and
geometry of ionic compounds, it has certain limitations and exceptions. Some of the
limitations of the radius ratio rule are:

1. It assumes that the ions are spherical and have a fixed radius. In reality, ions can have
different shapes and sizes depending on their electronic structure and the nature of
their bonding.
2. The rule does not account for the effects of charge on the ions. When the ions have
different charges, the electrostatic forces between them can affect their relative
positions and alter their coordination geometry.
3. The rule assumes that the ions have a well-defined crystal structure. However, in
some cases, the ions can be disordered or distorted, leading to deviations from the
expected coordination number and geometry.

4. The rule is based on empirical observations and does not have a strong theoretical
basis. As a result, it may not be applicable to all ionic compounds, especially those
involving complex ions or mixed valence.
5. The rule does not consider the effects of covalent bonding, which can influence the
coordination number and geometry of ionic compounds.

In summary, while the radius ratio rule is a useful tool for predicting the coordination number
and geometry of ionic compounds, its application can be limited by various factors, and it
should be used in conjunction with other considerations when making predictions about the
behavior of ionic compounds.

Packing of ions in crystals

The packing of ions in crystals refers to the arrangement of cations and anions in an ordered
and repeating pattern in a crystal lattice. There are different types of crystal structures, each
with its own unique way of packing ions.

1. Simple Cubic Structure: In a simple cubic structure, the cations and anions occupy the
corners of a cube, with one ion at each corner. This arrangement results in a
coordination number of 6 for both cations and anions.
2. Body-Centered Cubic Structure: In a body-centered cubic structure, the cation
occupies the center of the cube, while the anions are located at the corners. This
results in a coordination number of 8 for the cation and 4 for the anions.
3. Face-Centered Cubic Structure: In a face-centered cubic structure, the cation is
located at the center of each face of the cube, while the anions occupy the corners.
This arrangement results in a coordination number of 12 for the cation and 6 for the
anions.
4. Hexagonal Close-Packed Structure: In a hexagonal close-packed structure, the anions
form a close-packed layer, with each anion surrounded by six cations arranged in a
hexagonal pattern. The second layer of anions is positioned in the depressions
between the cations of the first layer. This arrangement results in a coordination
number of 12 for both cations and anions.

5. Cubic Close-Packed Structure: In a cubic close-packed structure, the anions form a

close-packed layer, with each anion surrounded by 12 cations arranged in a cubic
pattern. The second layer of anions is positioned above the depressions between the
cations of the first layer. This arrangement results in a coordination number of 12 for
both cations and anions.

In summary, the packing of ions in crystals depends on the type of crystal structure and the
size and charge of the ions. The crystal structure determines the coordination number and
geometry of the ions, while the size and charge of the ions influence their relative positions
within the crystal lattice.s