Ionic Compound

An ionic compound is a chemical compound made up of cations (positively-charged ions) & anions (negatively-charged ions).

In the solid state of an ionic compound, the cations & anions are held together by ionic bonds (electrostatic forces of attraction) in a lattice structure.

Examples of ionic compounds: sodium chloride – NaCl, sodium fluoride – NaF, ammonium nitrate – NH4NO3, magnesium oxide – MgO, calcium chloride – CaCl2

 

See the formula unit of ionic compound.

See the difference between ionic compounds & molecular compounds.