ionic bond
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The formation of an ionic bond between a sodium atom and a chlorine atom to form a molecule of sodium chloride. The sodium atom transfers an electron from its outer electron shell (becoming the positive ion Na+) to the chlorine atom (which becomes the negative chloride ion Cl–). The opposite charges mean that the ions are strongly attracted to each other. The formation of the bond means that each atom becomes more stable, having a full quota of electrons in its outer shell.
Bond produced when atoms of one element donate electrons to atoms of another element, forming positively and negatively charged ions respectively. The attraction between the oppositely charged ions constitutes the bond. Sodium chloride (Na+Cl−) is a typical ionic compound.
Each ion has the electronic structure of a noble gas (rare gas; see noble gas structure). The maximum number of electrons that can be gained is usually two.
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