Ion Reactivity

The farther the valence electron is from its positive

nucleus, the more easily it is removed and the more
reactive the atom is
Cation Reactivity
Reactivity generally increases for cations as you move
down the periodic table
Example: potassium is more reactive than sodium

Potassium Rubidium Cesium

Lithium Sodium
Cation Reactivity
Cation Reactivity
Anion Reactivity
Anion Reactivity
Anion Reactivity
Cations
A metal atom that has lost electrons (cation) will have

the same number of electrons as its nearest noble gas.

 Ionic Compounds
In general, an ionic compound consists of a metal and
nonmetal

It is more accurate to say that ionic compounds form

when atoms of different elements transfer electrons
resulting in ions of opposite charges.

Thus there is always an electron donor and acceptor.

Ionic Compounds
For example, this process occurs when atoms of sodium
metal (Na) combine with atoms of chlorine (Cl) to form
sodium chloride (NaCl), or table salt.
 Ionic Compounds
During the formation of NaCl, one electron is transferred
from a sodium atom to a chlorine atom
 Ionic Compound
In general, a cation will react with an anion t o acquire

a full valence shell

Ionic Compound
The attraction between the cation and the anion is known
as an ionic bond.
This bond is what holds the ionic compound together.
 Electron–Dot Structures for Ions
Remove electrons for

cations
 Electron–Dot Structures for Ions

Add electrons for

anions
 Properties of Ionic Compound
At room temperature, most are hard, brittle solids

that can be crushed

Properties of Ionic Compound

Ionic compounds form

crystals that have an
alternating arrangement of
positively charged ions and
negatively charged ions, so
that when they break their
edges are well-defined
 Properties of Ionic Compound

In an ionic crystal, every ion is attracted to every

other ion in the crystal. As a result, ionic crystals

have very high melting points

ex.) NaCl melts at 800 Co

Properties of Ionic Compound
Properties of Ionic Compound

Solutions of ionic compounds can conduct

electricity