3.1: Types of Chemical Compounds and their Formulas

Learning Objectives

• To understand the differences between covalent and ionic bonding.

The atoms in all substances that contain multiple atoms are held together by electrostatic interactions—interactions between electrically charged particles such as protons and electrons. Electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged species (positive and negative) results in a force that causes them to move toward each other, like the attraction between opposite poles of two magnets. In contrast, electrostatic repulsion between two species with the same charge (either both positive or both negative) results in a force that causes them to repel each other, as do the same poles of two magnets. Atoms form chemical compounds when the attractive electrostatic interactions between them are stronger than the repulsive interactions. Collectively, the attractive interactions between atoms are called chemical bonds.

Chemical bonds are generally divided into two fundamentally different types: ionic and covalent. In reality, however, the bonds in most substances are neither purely ionic nor purely covalent, but lie on a spectrum between these extremes. Although purely ionic and purely covalent bonds represent extreme cases that are seldom encountered in any but very simple substances, a brief discussion of these two extremes helps explain why substances with different kinds of chemical bonds have very different properties. Ionic compounds consist of positively and negatively charged ions held together by strong electrostatic forces, whereas covalent compounds generally consist of molecules, which are groups of atoms in which one or more pairs of electrons are shared between bonded atoms. In a covalent bond, atoms are held together by the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged nuclei of the bonded atoms and the negatively charged electrons they share. This discussion of structures and formulas begins by describing covalent compounds. The energetic factors involved in bond formation are described in more quantitative detail in later.

Note

Ionic compounds consist of ions of opposite charges held together by strong electrostatic forces, whereas pairs of electrons are shared between bonded atoms in covalent compounds.

Covalent Molecules and Compounds

Just as an atom is the simplest unit that has the fundamental chemical properties of an element, a molecule is the simplest unit that has the fundamental chemical properties of a covalent compound. Some pure elements exist as covalent molecules. Hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and the halogens occur naturally as the diatomic (“two atoms”) molecules H₂, N₂, O₂, F₂, Cl₂, Br₂, and I₂ (part (a) in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)). Similarly, a few pure elements exist as polyatomic (“many atoms”) molecules, such as elemental phosphorus and sulfur, which occur as P₄ and S₈ (part (b) in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)).

Each covalent compound is represented by a molecular formula, which gives the atomic symbol for each component element, in a prescribed order, accompanied by a subscript indicating the number of atoms of that element in the molecule. The subscript is written only if the number of atoms is greater than 1. For example, water, with two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom per molecule, is written as \(H_2O\). Similarly, carbon dioxide, which contains one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms in each molecule, is written as \(CO_2\).

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Elements That Exist as Covalent Molecules. (a) Several elements naturally exist as diatomic molecules, in which two atoms (E) are joined by one or more covalent bonds to form a molecule with the general formula E2. (b) A few elements naturally exist as polyatomic molecules, which contain more than two atoms. For example, phosphorus exists as P4 tetrahedra—regular polyhedra with four triangular sides—with a phosphorus atom at each vertex. Elemental sulfur consists of a puckered ring of eight sulfur atoms connected by single bonds. Selenium is not shown due to the complexity of its structure.

Covalent compounds that predominantly contain carbon and hydrogen are called organic compounds. The convention for representing the formulas of organic compounds is to write carbon first, followed by hydrogen and then any other elements in alphabetical order (e.g., CH₄O is methyl alcohol, a fuel). Compounds that consist primarily of elements other than carbon and hydrogen are called inorganic compounds; they include both covalent and ionic compounds. In inorganic compounds, the component elements are listed beginning with the one farthest to the left in the periodic table, as in CO₂ or SF₆. Those in the same group are listed beginning with the lower element and working up, as in ClF. By convention, however, when an inorganic compound contains both hydrogen and an element from groups 13–15, hydrogen is usually listed last in the formula. Examples are ammonia (NH₃) and silane (SiH₄). Compounds such as water, whose compositions were established long before this convention was adopted, are always written with hydrogen first: Water is always written as H₂O, not OH₂. The conventions for inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), are described elswhere.

Note

For organic compounds: write C first, then H, and then the other elements in alphabetical order. For molecular inorganic compounds: start with the element at far left in the periodic table; list elements in same group beginning with the lower element and working up.

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Write the molecular formula of each compound.

1. The phosphorus-sulfur compound that is responsible for the ignition of so-called strike anywhere matches has 4 phosphorus atoms and 3 sulfur atoms per molecule.
2. Ethyl alcohol, the alcohol of alcoholic beverages, has 1 oxygen atom, 2 carbon atoms, and 6 hydrogen atoms per molecule.
3. Freon-11, once widely used in automobile air conditioners and implicated in damage to the ozone layer, has 1 carbon atom, 3 chlorine atoms, and 1 fluorine atom per molecule.

Given: identity of elements present and number of atoms of each

Asked for: molecular formula

Strategy:

A Identify the symbol for each element in the molecule. Then identify the substance as either an organic compound or an inorganic compound.

B If the substance is an organic compound, arrange the elements in order beginning with carbon and hydrogen and then list the other elements alphabetically. If it is an inorganic compound, list the elements beginning with the one farthest left in the periodic table. List elements in the same group starting with the lower element and working up.

C From the information given, add a subscript for each kind of atom to write the molecular formula.

Solution:

a.

• A The molecule has 4 phosphorus atoms and 3 sulfur atoms. Because the compound does not contain mostly carbon and hydrogen, it is inorganic.
• B Phosphorus is in group 15, and sulfur is in group 16. Because phosphorus is to the left of sulfur, it is written first.
• C Writing the number of each kind of atom as a right-hand subscript gives P₄S₃ as the molecular formula.

b.

• A Ethyl alcohol contains predominantly carbon and hydrogen, so it is an organic compound.
• B The formula for an organic compound is written with the number of carbon atoms first, the number of hydrogen atoms next, and the other atoms in alphabetical order: CHO.
• C Adding subscripts gives the molecular formula \(\ce{C2H6O}\).

c.

• A Freon-11 contains carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. It can be viewed as either an inorganic compound or an organic compound (in which fluorine has replaced hydrogen). The formula for Freon-11 can therefore be written using either of the two conventions.
• B According to the convention for inorganic compounds, carbon is written first because it is farther left in the periodic table. Fluorine and chlorine are in the same group, so they are listed beginning with the lower element and working up: CClF. Adding subscripts gives the molecular formula CCl₃F.
• C We obtain the same formula for Freon-11 using the convention for organic compounds. The number of carbon atoms is written first, followed by the number of hydrogen atoms (zero) and then the other elements in alphabetical order, also giving CCl₃F.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Write the molecular formula for each compound.

1. Nitrous oxide, also called “laughing gas,” has 2 nitrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom per molecule. Nitrous oxide is used as a mild anesthetic for minor surgery and as the propellant in cans of whipped cream.
2. Sucrose, also known as cane sugar, has 12 carbon atoms, 11 oxygen atoms, and 22 hydrogen atoms.
3. Sulfur hexafluoride, a gas used to pressurize “unpressurized” tennis balls and as a coolant in nuclear reactors, has 6 fluorine atoms and 1 sulfur atom per molecule.

Answer:

1. N₂O
2. C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
3. SF₆

Representations of Molecular Structures

Molecular formulas give only the elemental composition of molecules. In contrast, structural formulas show which atoms are bonded to one another and, in some cases, the approximate arrangement of the atoms in space. Knowing the structural formula of a compound enables chemists to create a three-dimensional model, which provides information about how that compound will behave physically and chemically.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Molecules That Contain Single, Double, and Triple Bonds. Hydrogen (H₂) has a single bond between atoms. Oxygen (O₂) has a double bond between atoms, indicated by two lines (=). Nitrogen (N₂) has a triple bond between atoms, indicated by three lines (≡). Each bond represents an electron pair.

The structural formula for H₂ can be drawn as H–H and that for I₂ as I–I, where the line indicates a single pair of shared electrons, a single bond. Two pairs of electrons are shared in a double bond, which is indicated by two lines—for example, O₂ is O=O. Three electron pairs are shared in a triple bond, which is indicated by three lines—for example, N₂ is N≡N (Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)). Carbon is unique in the extent to which it forms single, double, and triple bonds to itself and other elements. The number of bonds formed by an atom in its covalent compounds is not arbitrary. Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon have very strong tendencies to form substances in which they have one, two, three, and four bonds to other atoms, respectively (Table \(\PageIndex{1}\)).

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): The Number of Bonds That Selected Atoms Commonly Form to Other Atoms

Atom	Number of Bonds
H (group 1)	1
O (group 16)	2
N (group 15)	3
C (group 14)	4

The structural formula for water can be drawn as follows:

Because the latter approximates the experimentally determined shape of the water molecule, it is more informative. Similarly, ammonia (NH₃) and methane (CH₄) are often written as planar molecules:

As shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\), however, the actual three-dimensional structure of NH₃ looks like a pyramid with a triangular base of three hydrogen atoms. The structure of CH₄, with four hydrogen atoms arranged around a central carbon atom as shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\), is tetrahedral: the hydrogen atoms are positioned at every other vertex of a cube. Many compounds—carbon compounds, in particular—have four bonded atoms arranged around a central atom to form a tetrahedron.

Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): The Three-Dimensional Structures of Water, Ammonia, and Methane. (a) Water is a V-shaped molecule, in which all three atoms lie in a plane. (b) In contrast, ammonia has a pyramidal structure, in which the three hydrogen atoms form the base of the pyramid and the nitrogen atom is at the vertex. (c) The four hydrogen atoms of methane form a tetrahedron; the carbon atom lies in the center.

Figures \(\PageIndex{3}\)-\(\PageIndex{3}\) illustrate different ways to represent the structures of molecules. It should be clear that there is no single “best” way to draw the structure of a molecule; the method used depends on which aspect of the structure should be emphasized and how much time and effort is required. Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\) shows some of the different ways to portray the structure of a slightly more complex molecule: methanol. These representations differ greatly in their information content. For example, the molecular formula for methanol (part (a) in Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)) gives only the number of each kind of atom; writing methanol as CH₄O tells nothing about its structure. In contrast, the structural formula (part (b) in Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)) indicates how the atoms are connected, but it makes methanol look as if it is planar (which it is not). Both the ball-and-stick model (part (c) in Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)) and the perspective drawing (part (d) in Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)) show the three-dimensional structure of the molecule. The latter (also called a wedge-and-dash representation) is the easiest way to sketch the structure of a molecule in three dimensions. It shows which atoms are above and below the plane of the paper by using wedges and dashes, respectively; the central atom is always assumed to be in the plane of the paper. The space-filling model (part (e) in Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)) illustrates the approximate relative sizes of the atoms in the molecule, but it does not show the bonds between the atoms. In addition, in a space-filling model, atoms at the “front” of the molecule may obscure atoms at the “back.”

Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Different Ways of Representing the Structure of a Molecule. (a) The molecular formula for methanol gives only the number of each kind of atom present. (b) The structural formula shows which atoms are connected. (c) The ball-and-stick model shows the atoms as spheres and the bonds as sticks. (d) A perspective drawing (also called a wedge-and-dash representation) attempts to show the three-dimensional structure of the molecule. (e) The space-filling model shows the atoms in the molecule but not the bonds. (f) The condensed structural formula is by far the easiest and most common way to represent a molecule.

Although a structural formula, a ball-and-stick model, a perspective drawing, and a space-filling model provide a significant amount of information about the structure of a molecule, each requires time and effort. Consequently, chemists often use a condensed structural formula (part (f) in Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)), which omits the lines representing bonds between atoms and simply lists the atoms bonded to a given atom next to it. Multiple groups attached to the same atom are shown in parentheses, followed by a subscript that indicates the number of such groups. For example, the condensed structural formula for methanol is CH₃OH, which indicates that the molecule contains a CH₃ unit that looks like a fragment of methane (CH₄). Methanol can therefore be viewed either as a methane molecule in which one hydrogen atom has been replaced by an –OH group or as a water molecule in which one hydrogen atom has been replaced by a –CH₃ fragment. Because of their ease of use and information content, we use condensed structural formulas for molecules throughout this text. Ball-and-stick models are used when needed to illustrate the three-dimensional structure of molecules, and space-filling models are used only when it is necessary to visualize the relative sizes of atoms or molecules to understand an important point.

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Write the molecular formula for each compound. The condensed structural formula is given.

1. Sulfur monochloride (also called disulfur dichloride) is a vile-smelling, corrosive yellow liquid used in the production of synthetic rubber. Its condensed structural formula is ClSSCl.
2. Ethylene glycol is the major ingredient in antifreeze. Its condensed structural formula is HOCH₂CH₂OH.
3. Trimethylamine is one of the substances responsible for the smell of spoiled fish. Its condensed structural formula is (CH₃)₃N.

Given: condensed structural formula

Asked for: molecular formula

Strategy:

1. Identify every element in the condensed structural formula and then determine whether the compound is organic or inorganic.
2. As appropriate, use either organic or inorganic convention to list the elements. Then add appropriate subscripts to indicate the number of atoms of each element present in the molecular formula.

Solution:

The molecular formula lists the elements in the molecule and the number of atoms of each.

1. A Each molecule of sulfur monochloride has two sulfur atoms and two chlorine atoms. Because it does not contain mostly carbon and hydrogen, it is an inorganic compound. B Sulfur lies to the left of chlorine in the periodic table, so it is written first in the formula. Adding subscripts gives the molecular formula S₂Cl₂.
2. A Counting the atoms in ethylene glycol, we get six hydrogen atoms, two carbon atoms, and two oxygen atoms per molecule. The compound consists mostly of carbon and hydrogen atoms, so it is organic. B As with all organic compounds, C and H are written first in the molecular formula. Adding appropriate subscripts gives the molecular formula C₂H₆O₂.
3. A The condensed structural formula shows that trimethylamine contains three CH₃ units, so we have one nitrogen atom, three carbon atoms, and nine hydrogen atoms per molecule. Because trimethylamine contains mostly carbon and hydrogen, it is an organic compound. B According to the convention for organic compounds, C and H are written first, giving the molecular formula C₃H₉N.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Write the molecular formula for each molecule.

1. Chloroform, which was one of the first anesthetics and was used in many cough syrups until recently, contains one carbon atom, one hydrogen atom, and three chlorine atoms. Its condensed structural formula is CHCl₃.
2. Hydrazine is used as a propellant in the attitude jets of the space shuttle. Its condensed structural formula is H₂NNH₂.
3. Putrescine is a pungent-smelling compound first isolated from extracts of rotting meat. Its condensed structural formula is H₂NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂. This is often written as H₂N(CH₂)₄NH₂ to indicate that there are four CH₂ fragments linked together.

Answer a

CHCl₃

Answer b

N₂H₄

Answer c

C₄H₁₂N₂

Ionic Compounds

The substances described in the preceding discussion are composed of molecules that are electrically neutral; that is, the number of positively-charged protons in the nucleus is equal to the number of negatively-charged electrons. In contrast, ions are atoms or assemblies of atoms that have a net electrical charge. Ions that contain fewer electrons than protons have a net positive charge and are called cations. Conversely, ions that contain more electrons than protons have a net negative charge and are called anions. Ionic compounds contain both cations and anions in a ratio that results in no net electrical charge.

Note

Ionic compounds contain both cations and anions in a ratio that results in zero electrical charge.

Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): Covalent and Ionic Bonding. (a) In molecular hydrogen (H₂), two hydrogen atoms share two electrons to form a covalent bond. (b) The ionic compound NaCl forms when electrons from sodium atoms are transferred to chlorine atoms. The resulting Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions form a three-dimensional solid that is held together by attractive electrostatic interactions.

In covalent compounds, electrons are shared between bonded atoms and are simultaneously attracted to more than one nucleus. In contrast, ionic compounds contain cations and anions rather than discrete neutral molecules. Ionic compounds are held together by the attractive electrostatic interactions between cations and anions. In an ionic compound, the cations and anions are arranged in space to form an extended three-dimensional array that maximizes the number of attractive electrostatic interactions and minimizes the number of repulsive electrostatic interactions (Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\)). As shown in Equation 3.1.1, the electrostatic energy of the interaction between two charged particles is proportional to the product of the charges on the particles and inversely proportional to the distance between them:

\[ \text {electrostatic energy} \propto {Q_1Q_2 \over r} \label{3.1.1}\]

where

• \(Q_1\) and \(Q_2\) are the electrical charges on particles 1 and 2, and
• \(r\) is the distance between them.

When \(Q_1\) and \(Q_2\) are both positive, corresponding to the charges on cations, the cations repel each other and the electrostatic energy is positive. When \(Q_1\) and \(Q_2\) are both negative, corresponding to the charges on anions, the anions repel each other and the electrostatic energy is again positive. The electrostatic energy is negative only when the charges have opposite signs; that is, positively charged species are attracted to negatively charged species and vice versa. As shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\), the strength of the interaction is proportional to the magnitude of the charges and decreases as the distance between the particles increases. These energetic factors are discussed in greater quantitative detail later.

Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\): The Effect of Charge and Distance on the Strength of Electrostatic Interactions. As the charge on ions increases or the distance between ions decreases, so does the strength of the attractive (−…+) or repulsive (−…− or +…+) interactions. The strength of these interactions is represented by the thickness of the arrows.

Note

If the electrostatic energy is positive, the particles repel each other; if the electrostatic energy is negative, the particles are attracted to each other.

One example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride (NaCl), formed from sodium and chlorine. In forming chemical compounds, many elements have a tendency to gain or lose enough electrons to attain the same number of electrons as the noble gas closest to them in the periodic table. When sodium and chlorine come into contact, each sodium atom gives up an electron to become a Na⁺ ion, with 11 protons in its nucleus but only 10 electrons (like neon), and each chlorine atom gains an electron to become a Cl⁻ ion, with 17 protons in its nucleus and 18 electrons (like argon), as shown in part (b) in Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\). Solid sodium chloride contains equal numbers of cations (Na⁺) and anions (Cl⁻), thus maintaining electrical neutrality. Each Na⁺ ion is surrounded by 6 Cl⁻ ions, and each Cl⁻ ion is surrounded by 6 Na⁺ ions. Because of the large number of attractive Na⁺Cl⁻ interactions, the total attractive electrostatic energy in NaCl is great.

Consistent with a tendency to have the same number of electrons as the nearest noble gas, when forming ions, elements in groups 1, 2, and 3 tend to lose one, two, and three electrons, respectively, to form cations, such as Na⁺ and Mg²⁺. They then have the same number of electrons as the nearest noble gas: neon. Similarly, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Sc³⁺ have 18 electrons each, like the nearest noble gas: argon. In addition, the elements in group 13 lose three electrons to form cations, such as Al³⁺, again attaining the same number of electrons as the noble gas closest to them in the periodic table. Because the lanthanides and actinides formally belong to group 3, the most common ion formed by these elements is M³⁺, where M represents the metal. Conversely, elements in groups 17, 16, and 15 often react to gain one, two, and three electrons, respectively, to form ions such as Cl⁻, S²⁻, and P³⁻. Ions such as these, which contain only a single atom, are called monatomic ions. The charges of most monatomic ions derived from the main group elements can be predicted by simply looking at the periodic table and counting how many columns an element lies from the extreme left or right. For example, barium (in Group 2) forms Ba²⁺ to have the same number of electrons as its nearest noble gas, xenon; oxygen (in Group 16) forms O²⁻ to have the same number of electrons as neon; and cesium (in Group 1) forms Cs⁺, which has the same number of electrons as xenon. Note that this method is ineffective for most of the transition metals, as discussed in Section 2.3. Some common monatomic ions are listed in Table \(\PageIndex{2}\).

Note

Elements in Groups 1, 2, and 3 tend to form 1+, 2+, and 3+ ions, respectively; elements in Groups 15, 16, and 17 tend to form 3−, 2−, and 1− ions, respectively.

Table \(\PageIndex{2}\): Some Common Monatomic Ions and Their Names

Group 1	Group 2	Group 3	Group 13	Group 15	Group 16	Group 17
Li^+ lithium	Be^2^+ beryllium			N^3− nitride (azide)	O^2− oxide	F^− fluoride
Na^+ sodium	Mg^2^+ magnesium		Al^3^+ aluminum	P^3− phosphide	S^2− sulfide	Cl^− chloride
K^+ potassium	Ca^2^+ calcium	Sc^3^+ scandium	Ga^3^+ gallium	As^3^− arsenide	Se^2^− selenide	Br^− bromide
Rb^+ rubidium	Sr^2^+ strontium	Y^3^+ yttrium	In^3^+ indium		Te^2^− telluride	I^− iodide
Cs^+ cesium	Ba^2^+ barium	La^3^+ lanthanum

Example \(\PageIndex{3}\)

Predict the charge on the most common monatomic ion formed by each element.

1. aluminum, used in the quantum logic clock, the world’s most precise clock
2. selenium, used to make ruby-colored glass
3. yttrium, used to make high-performance spark plugs

Given: element

Asked for: ionic charge

Strategy:

A Identify the group in the periodic table to which the element belongs. Based on its location in the periodic table, decide whether the element is a metal, which tends to lose electrons; a nonmetal, which tends to gain electrons; or a semimetal, which can do either.

B After locating the noble gas that is closest to the element, determine the number of electrons the element must gain or lose to have the same number of electrons as the nearest noble gas.

Solution:

1. A Aluminum is a metal in group 13; consequently, it will tend to lose electrons. B The nearest noble gas to aluminum is neon. Aluminum will lose three electrons to form the Al³⁺ ion, which has the same number of electrons as neon.
2. A Selenium is a nonmetal in group 16, so it will tend to gain electrons. B The nearest noble gas is krypton, so we predict that selenium will gain two electrons to form the Se²⁻ ion, which has the same number of electrons as krypton.
3. A Yttrium is in group 3, and elements in this group are metals that tend to lose electrons. B The nearest noble gas to yttrium is krypton, so yttrium is predicted to lose three electrons to form Y³⁺, which has the same number of electrons as krypton.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

Predict the charge on the most common monatomic ion formed by each element.

1. calcium, used to prevent osteoporosis
2. iodine, required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones
3. zirconium, widely used in nuclear reactors

Answer:

1. Ca²⁺
2. I⁻
3. Zr⁴⁺

Molecular and Ionic Compounds: https://youtu.be/zJejgCll1bw

Physical Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds

In general, ionic and covalent compounds have different physical properties. Ionic compounds form hard crystalline solids that melt at high temperatures and are resistant to evaporation. These properties stem from the characteristic internal structure of an ionic solid, illustrated schematically in part (a) in Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\) which shows the three-dimensional array of alternating positive and negative ions held together by strong electrostatic attractions. In contrast, as shown in part (b) in Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\) most covalent compounds consist of discrete molecules held together by comparatively weak intermolecular forces (the forces between molecules), even though the atoms within each molecule are held together by strong intramolecular covalent bonds (the forces within the molecule). Covalent substances can be gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature and pressure, depending on the strength of the intermolecular interactions. Covalent molecular solids tend to form soft crystals that melt at low temperatures and evaporate easily.Some covalent substances, however, are not molecular but consist of infinite three-dimensional arrays of covalently bonded atoms and include some of the hardest materials known, such as diamond. This topic will be addressed elsewhere. The covalent bonds that hold the atoms together in the molecules are unaffected when covalent substances melt or evaporate, so a liquid or vapor of independent molecules is formed. For example, at room temperature, methane, the major constituent of natural gas, is a gas that is composed of discrete CH₄ molecules. A comparison of the different physical properties of ionic compounds and covalent molecular substances is given in Table \(\PageIndex{3}\).

Table \(\PageIndex{3}\): The Physical Properties of Typical Ionic Compounds and Covalent Molecular Substances

Ionic Compounds	Covalent Molecular Substances
hard solids	gases, liquids, or soft solids
high melting points	low melting points
nonvolatile	volatile

Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\): Interactions in Ionic and Covalent Solids. (a) The positively and negatively charged ions in an ionic solid such as sodium chloride (NaCl) are held together by strong electrostatic interactions. (b) In this representation of the packing of methane (CH4) molecules in solid methane, a prototypical molecular solid, the methane molecules are held together in the solid only by relatively weak intermolecular forces, even though the atoms within each methane molecule are held together by strong covalent bonds.

• The Learning Objective of this Module is to describe the composition of a chemical compound.

When chemists synthesize a new compound, they may not yet know its molecular or structural formula. In such cases, they usually begin by determining its empirical formula, the relative numbers of atoms of the elements in a compound, reduced to the smallest whole numbers. Because the empirical formula is based on experimental measurements of the numbers of atoms in a sample of the compound, it shows only the ratios of the numbers of the elements present. The difference between empirical and molecular formulas can be illustrated with butane, a covalent compound used as the fuel in disposable lighters. The molecular formula for butane is C₄H₁₀. The ratio of carbon atoms to hydrogen atoms in butane is 4:10, which can be reduced to 2:5. The empirical formula for butane is therefore C₂H₅. The formula unit is the absolute grouping of atoms or ions represented by the empirical formula of a compound, either ionic or covalent. Butane has the empirical formula C₂H₅, but it contains two C₂H₅ formula units, giving a molecular formula of C₄H₁₀.

Because ionic compounds do not contain discrete molecules, empirical formulas are used to indicate their compositions. All compounds, whether ionic or covalent, must be electrically neutral. Consequently, the positive and negative charges in a formula unit must exactly cancel each other. If the cation and the anion have charges of equal magnitude, such as Na⁺ and Cl⁻, then the compound must have a 1:1 ratio of cations to anions, and the empirical formula must be NaCl. If the charges are not the same magnitude, then a cation:anion ratio other than 1:1 is needed to produce a neutral compound. In the case of Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻, for example, two Cl⁻ ions are needed to balance the two positive charges on each Mg²⁺ ion, giving an empirical formula of MgCl₂. Similarly, the formula for the ionic compound that contains Na⁺ and O²⁻ ions is Na₂O.

Note

Ionic compounds do not contain discrete molecules, so empirical formulas are used to indicate their compositions.

Binary Ionic Compounds

An ionic compound that contains only two elements, one present as a cation and one as an anion, is called a binary ionic compound. One example is MgCl₂, a coagulant used in the preparation of tofu from soybeans. For binary ionic compounds, the subscripts in the empirical formula can also be obtained by crossing charges: use the absolute value of the charge on one ion as the subscript for the other ion. This method is shown schematically as follows:

Crossing charges. One method for obtaining subscripts in the empirical formula is by crossing charges.

When crossing charges, it is sometimes necessary to reduce the subscripts to their simplest ratio to write the empirical formula. Consider, for example, the compound formed by Mg²⁺ and O²⁻. Using the absolute values of the charges on the ions as subscripts gives the formula Mg₂O₂:

This simplifies to its correct empirical formula MgO. The empirical formula has one Mg²⁺ ion and one O²⁻ ion.

Example \(\PageIndex{4}\)

Write the empirical formula for the simplest binary ionic compound formed from each ion or element pair.

1. Ga³⁺ and As³⁻
2. Eu³⁺ and O²⁻
3. calcium and chlorine

Given: ions or elements

Asked for: empirical formula for binary ionic compound

Strategy:

A If not given, determine the ionic charges based on the location of the elements in the periodic table.

B Use the absolute value of the charge on each ion as the subscript for the other ion. Reduce the subscripts to the lowest numbers

to write the empirical formula. Check to make sure the empirical formula is electrically neutral.

Solution

a. B Using the absolute values of the charges on the ions as the subscripts gives Ga3As3:

Reducing the subscripts to the smallest whole numbers gives the empirical formula GaAs, which is electrically neutral [+3 + (−3) = 0]. Alternatively, we could recognize that Ga³⁺ and As³⁻ have charges of equal magnitude but opposite signs. One Ga³⁺ ion balances the charge on one As³⁻ ion, and a 1:1 compound will have no net charge. Because we write subscripts only if the number is greater than 1, the empirical formula is GaAs. GaAs is gallium arsenide, which is widely used in the electronics industry in transistors and other devices.

b. B Because Eu³⁺ has a charge of +3 and O²⁻ has a charge of −2, a 1:1 compound would have a net charge of +1. We must therefore find multiples of the charges that cancel. We cross charges, using the absolute value of the charge on one ion as the subscript for the other ion:

The subscript for Eu³⁺ is 2 (from O²⁻), and the subscript for O²⁻ is 3 (from Eu³⁺), giving Eu₂O₃; the subscripts cannot be reduced further. The empirical formula contains a positive charge of 2(+3) = +6 and a negative charge of 3(−2) = −6, for a net charge of 0. The compound Eu₂O₃ is neutral. Europium oxide is responsible for the red color in television and computer screens.

c. A Because the charges on the ions are not given, we must first determine the charges expected for the most common ions derived from calcium and chlorine. Calcium lies in group 2, so it should lose two electrons to form Ca²⁺. Chlorine lies in group 17, so it should gain one electron to form Cl⁻.

B Two Cl⁻ ions are needed to balance the charge on one Ca²⁺ ion, which leads to the empirical formula CaCl₂. We could also cross charges, using the absolute value of the charge on Ca²⁺ as the subscript for Cl and the absolute value of the charge on Cl⁻ as the subscript for Ca:

The subscripts in CaCl₂ cannot be reduced further. The empirical formula is electrically neutral [+2 + 2(−1) = 0]. This compound is calcium chloride, one of the substances used as “salt” to melt ice on roads and sidewalks in winter.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

Write the empirical formula for the simplest binary ionic compound formed from each ion or element pair.

1. Li⁺ and N³⁻
2. Al³⁺ and O²⁻
3. lithium and oxygen

Answer:

1. Li₃N
2. Al₂O₃
3. Li₂O

Polyatomic Ions

Polyatomic ions are groups of atoms that bear net electrical charges, although the atoms in a polyatomic ion are held together by the same covalent bonds that hold atoms together in molecules. Just as there are many more kinds of molecules than simple elements, there are many more kinds of polyatomic ions than monatomic ions. Two examples of polyatomic cations are the ammonium (NH₄⁺) and the methylammonium (CH₃NH₃⁺) ions. Polyatomic anions are much more numerous than polyatomic cations; some common examples are in Table \(\PageIndex{4}\).

Table \(\PageIndex{4}\): Common Polyatomic Ions and Their Names

Formula	Name of Ion
NH4^+	ammonium
CH3NH3^+	methylammonium
OH^−	hydroxide
O2^2^−	peroxide
CN^−	cyanide
SCN^−	thiocyanate
NO2^−	nitrite
NO3^−	nitrate
CO3^2^−	carbonate
HCO3^−	hydrogen carbonate, or bicarbonate
SO3^2^−	sulfite
SO4^2^−	sulfate
HSO4^−	hydrogen sulfate, or bisulfate
PO4^3^−	phosphate
HPO4^2^−	hydrogen phosphate
H2PO4^−	dihydrogen phosphate
ClO^−	hypochlorite
ClO2^−	chlorite
ClO3^−	chlorate
ClO4^−	perchlorate
MnO4^−	permanganate
CrO42^−	chromate
Cr2O7^2^−	dichromate
C2O4^2^−	oxalate
HCO2^−	formate
CH3CO2^−	acetate
C6H5CO2^−	benzoate

The method used to predict the empirical formulas for ionic compounds that contain monatomic ions can also be used for compounds that contain polyatomic ions. The overall charge on the cations must balance the overall charge on the anions in the formula unit. Thus, K⁺ and NO₃⁻ ions combine in a 1:1 ratio to form KNO₃ (potassium nitrate or saltpeter), a major ingredient in black gunpowder. Similarly, Ca²⁺ and SO₄²⁻ form CaSO₄ (calcium sulfate), which combines with varying amounts of water to form gypsum and plaster of Paris. The polyatomic ions NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ form NH₄NO₃ (ammonium nitrate), a widely used fertilizer and, in the wrong hands, an explosive. One example of a compound in which the ions have charges of different magnitudes is calcium phosphate, which is composed of Ca²⁺ and PO₄³⁻ ions; it is a major component of bones. The compound is electrically neutral because the ions combine in a ratio of three Ca²⁺ ions [3(+2) = +6] for every two ions [2(−3) = −6], giving an empirical formula of Ca₃(PO₄)₂; the parentheses around PO₄ in the empirical formula indicate that it is a polyatomic ion. Writing the formula for calcium phosphate as Ca₃P₂O₈ gives the correct number of each atom in the formula unit, but it obscures the fact that the compound contains readily identifiable PO₄³⁻ ions.

Example \(\PageIndex{5}\)

Write the empirical formula for the compound formed from each ion pair.

1. Na⁺ and HPO₄²⁻
2. potassium cation and cyanide anion
3. calcium cation and hypochlorite anion

Given: ions

Asked for: empirical formula for ionic compound

Strategy:

A If it is not given, determine the charge on a monatomic ion from its location in the periodic table. Use Table \(\PageIndex{4}\) "Common Polyatomic Ions and Their Names" to find the charge on a polyatomic ion.

B Use the absolute value of the charge on each ion as the subscript for the other ion. Reduce the subscripts to the smallest whole numbers when writing the empirical formula.

Solution:

a. B Because HPO₄²⁻ has a charge of −2 and Na⁺ has a charge of +1, the empirical formula requires two Na⁺ ions to balance the charge of the polyatomic ion, giving Na₂HPO₄. The subscripts are reduced to the lowest numbers, so the empirical formula is Na₂HPO₄. This compound is sodium hydrogen phosphate, which is used to provide texture in processed cheese, puddings, and instant breakfasts.

b. A The potassium cation is K⁺, and the cyanide anion is CN⁻. B Because the magnitude of the charge on each ion is the same, the empirical formula is KCN. Potassium cyanide is highly toxic, and at one time it was used as rat poison. This use has been discontinued, however, because too many people were being poisoned accidentally.

c. A The calcium cation is Ca²⁺, and the hypochlorite anion is ClO⁻. B Two ClO⁻ ions are needed to balance the charge on one Ca²⁺ ion, giving Ca(ClO)₂. The subscripts cannot be reduced further, so the empirical formula is Ca(ClO)₂. This is calcium hypochlorite, the “chlorine” used to purify water in swimming pools.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\)

Write the empirical formula for the compound formed from each ion pair.

1. Ca²⁺ and H₂PO₄⁻
2. sodium cation and bicarbonate anion
3. ammonium cation and sulfate anion

Answer:

1. Ca(H₂PO₄)₂: calcium dihydrogen phosphate is one of the ingredients in baking powder.
2. NaHCO₃: sodium bicarbonate is found in antacids and baking powder; in pure form, it is sold as baking soda.
3. (NH₄)₂SO₄: ammonium sulfate is a common source of nitrogen in fertilizers.

Summary

• There are two fundamentally different kinds of chemical bonds (covalent and ionic) that cause substances to have very different properties.
• The composition of a compound is represented by an empirical or molecular formula, each consisting of at least one formula unit.Contributors

The atoms in chemical compounds are held together by attractive electrostatic interactions known as chemical bonds. Ionic compounds contain positively and negatively charged ions in a ratio that results in an overall charge of zero. The ions are held together in a regular spatial arrangement by electrostatic forces. Most covalent compounds consist of molecules, groups of atoms in which one or more pairs of electrons are shared by at least two atoms to form a covalent bond. The atoms in molecules are held together by the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged nuclei of the bonded atoms and the negatively charged electrons shared by the nuclei. The molecular formula of a covalent compound gives the types and numbers of atoms present. Compounds that contain predominantly carbon and hydrogen are called organic compounds, whereas compounds that consist primarily of elements other than carbon and hydrogen are inorganic compounds. Diatomic molecules contain two atoms, and polyatomic molecules contain more than two. A structural formula indicates the composition and approximate structure and shape of a molecule. Single bonds, double bonds, and triple bonds are covalent bonds in which one, two, and three pairs of electrons, respectively, are shared between two bonded atoms. Atoms or groups of atoms that possess a net electrical charge are called ions; they can have either a positive charge (cations) or a negative charge (anions). Ions can consist of one atom (monatomic ions) or several (polyatomic ions). The charges on monatomic ions of most main group elements can be predicted from the location of the element in the periodic table. Ionic compounds usually form hard crystalline solids with high melting points. Covalent molecular compounds, in contrast, consist of discrete molecules held together by weak intermolecular forces and can be gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature and pressure.

An empirical formula gives the relative numbers of atoms of the elements in a compound, reduced to the lowest whole numbers. The formula unit is the absolute grouping represented by the empirical formula of a compound, either ionic or covalent. Empirical formulas are particularly useful for describing the composition of ionic compounds, which do not contain readily identifiable molecules. Some ionic compounds occur as hydrates, which contain specific ratios of loosely bound water molecules called waters of hydration.