1. Unit 3 How do we predict properties?
The central goal of this unit is to help you develop ways of thinking that can be used to predict the physical properties of chemical compounds based on their submicroscopic structure.
M1. Analyzing Molecular Structure
Predicting properties based on molecular structure .
M2. Considering Conformations
Predicting properties based on spatial conformations.
M3. Characterizing Ionic Networks
Predicting properties based on ion charge and size.
M4. Exploring Electronic Structure
Predicting properties based on electron-configurations.

2. How do we predict properties? Module 3: Characterizing Ionic Networks
Unit 3
How do we predict properties?
Module 3: Characterizing Ionic Networks
Central goal:
To explain and predict the physical properties of ionic compounds based on the charge and size of the ions present in the system.

3. The Challenge
Modeling How do I predict it?
Metals can chemically react with nonmetals to form new chemical compounds. In most cases, these compounds are not comprised of molecules, but of ions arranged in solid crystalline networks.
How can we make predictions about the composition of these ionic compounds?
How can we predict what properties they may have?

4. Important Differences
Nonmetals
Metals
In general, atoms of nonmetals have higher ionizations potentials and electronegativities (c) than those of metals. Thus, nonmetals have a higher affinity for electrons than metals.

5. From Polar to Ionic
The larger the difference in electronegativity (Dc) between bonding atoms the more polar the bond.
For Dc > ~1.7, the bonding electrons spend most of their time close to the nonmetal atom.

6. Nonmetal  - ion (anion)
Ionic Compounds
The properties of the compounds that results from the reaction of metals with nonmetals are better described assuming that independent ions are formed.
Nonmetal  - ion (anion)
Metal  + ion (cation)

7. They arrange into a crystalline network.
Ionic Networks
+ and - ions interact with all other ions in the system, and they do not form molecules.
They arrange into a crystalline network.
NaCl
For these compounds, the chemical formula only indicates the ratio of + to – ions in the lattice (1:1).

8. Different ionic compounds may have different crystal structures.
BCC
FCC
CsCl
NaCl
Every type of crystal lattice can be built by repeating a characteristic UNIT CELL.

9. Let’s Think
Ionic compounds do not conduct electricity as solids, but they do it when melted. Solid ionic compounds shatter when struck.
How would you explain these properties based on their submicroscopic structure?

10. Interactions between ions are determined by Coulomb’s law.
Charge and Size
In general, many properties of ionic compounds are determined by the charge and the size of the ions in the network.
Interactions between ions are determined by Coulomb’s law. + r
Thus, it is of central importance to be able to predict the charge and size of the ions formed whenever a metal reacts with a nonmetal.

11. Let’s Think
The charge that atoms of metals and nonmetals acquire when they react with each other is determined by their electron configurations.
s1 s2
p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6
What charges would the atoms in the highlighted families will acquire when they react with each other? Justify your reasoning.

12. Ion Charges
Based on the octet rule, we can predict that the ions formed will have full shell electron configurations.

13. Naming Examples: Cu(I), Cu(II), Nickel(I)
Transition Metals
The prediction of ion charges for transition metals is more difficult, because electrons in the d-subshell may also be transferred to the nonmetal atoms. So, they may form a variety of ions.
Ion charge (+)
Atomic Number
Common
Less Common
Naming Examples: Cu(I), Cu(II), Nickel(I)

14. Charge Neutrality
No matter what ions are formed, the ionic network that is formed has no net charge. These implies that cations (+) and anions (-) combine in ratios that ensure charge neutrality.
Consider this reaction: Na(s) + Cl2(g) 
Na  Na Cl  Cl Stable Ions
Thus, the ionic product is NaCl
Sodium chloride
Na(s) Cl2(g)  NaCl (s) 2
What happens in this case? Al(s) O2(g)  4 3 2
Al2O3
Al  Al O  O Stable Ions
Thus, the ionic product is Al2O3
Aluminum oxide

15. Let’s Think
Predict the ratios in which the ions resulting from these reactions will combine:
K(s) + F2(g) 
Mg(s) + O2(g) 
Na(s) + S8 (s) 
Ca(s) + N2(g) 
Write the chemical formulas for the resulting ionic compounds and balance each equation.
“Let’s think” designed for students to apply what they have learned.

16. How would you expect the periodic trend for ion sizes to be?
Let’s Think
During the formation of ionic compounds, atoms of metals lose electrons while those of nonmetals gain them:
A – m e-  Am+ B + n e-  Bn-
How would you expect the size of each type of atom to change when becoming ions?
How would you expect the periodic trend for ion sizes to be?

17. Based on Coulomb’s Law, one may expect these forces to be stronger:
Properties
Coulomb’s Law
The properties of an ionic compound are determined by the electrostatic forces among its ions, and between these ions any surrounding particle (atom, ion, or molecule). + r
Based on Coulomb’s Law, one may expect these forces to be stronger:
the larger the charge of the ions (larger q1, q2);
the smaller the size of the ions (smaller r);

18. Phase Transitions
Interactions
Energy (KJ/mol)
Ionic
Covalent
Metallic
H-bonding
Dipole-Dipole
5 - 25
Dispersion
Ionic compound tend to have high melting and boiling points because electrostatic forces are pretty strong.
Let’s Think
Arrange each of these sets of ionic compounds, in order of increasing melting point:
NaCl, NaBr, NaF
CaO, NaCl, MgO

19. Solubility Some ionic compounds are very soluble in water,
while others are almost completely insoluble.
Ionic compounds that are insoluble in water tend to be comprised of ions with strong interactions among each other (large charge, small size).

20. Electrolytes
Solutions of soluble ionic compounds conduct electricity. This implies that ions can freely move across the system.
Strong electrolyte
Weak electrolyte
Solutions of slightly soluble ionic compounds barely conduct electricity. Only a small fraction of the ions is in solution.

21. Justify your ideas using Coulomb’s Law.
Let’s Think
Consider the following examples of soluble and insoluble ionic compounds:
Soluble
Insoluble
NaCl MgBr2
K2S CaI2
NaF AlCl3
MgO ZnS
Al2O FeS CrS Ni2O3
Use this data to derive a simple rule to make predictions about the solubility of ionic compounds based on ion charges.
Justify your ideas using Coulomb’s Law.

22. Polyatomic Ions
There are ionic compounds in which the ions in the lattice are not necessarily atomic (one single atom), but molecular (several atoms covalently bonded).
NO3-
Nitrate ion
CO32-
Carbonate ion
OH-
Hydroxide ion
SO42-
Sulfate ion
PO43-
Phosphate ion
NH4+
Ammonium ion

23. Make predictions about the solubility of these ionic compounds:
Comparisons
No matter the type of ion, we can still make predictions about the structure and properties of these ionic compounds based on similar ideas.
NH4+
Cl-
Ammonium Chloride
NH4Cl
Let’s Think
Make predictions about the solubility of these ionic compounds:
Barium Sulfate Magnesium Nitrate Calcium Phosphate
Ammonium Nitrate Calcium Carbonate

24. New Applications
Materials based on ionic compounds have a wide variety of applications. Most ceramics are ionic solids that are very hard and highly resistant to corrosion and wear.
Zeolites, for example, are ionic compounds of Al, Si, and O, that have a porous structure. They are widely used as filters and catalysts.

25. Surprising Properties
Ions of transition metals have unpaired electrons, and thus they exhibit magnetic properties.
High-T Superconductor Ceramics
1+,2+ 2- 2+ 3+
YBa2Cu3O7
Solid oxides of metals such as Fe, Mn, and Cu exhibit surprising electric and magnetic properties.
Fe3O4
Magnetite

26. Let′s apply!
Assess what you know

27. Based on what you have learned:
Let′s apply!
Some Melting Points
All common ionic compounds have melting points above 100 oC and thus are solid a room temperature K+
NH4+
Cl-
776 oC
338 oC
NO3-
334 oC
170 oC
CH3COO-
292 oC
112 oC
Based on what you have learned:
Hypothesize on the structural characteristics of ionic compounds that could be liquid at room temperature.
Discuss potential applications of these types of fluids.

28. Let′s apply!
Soaps are also ionic compounds in which the anions are pretty large hydrocarbon chains.
Explain:
Why are soaps soluble in water?
How would you expect soap ions to arrange in solution?
Why do soaps help in removing grease? + + +

29. Come up with a question about the content of this module that you desperately want to be answered.

30. Characterizing Ionic Networks
Summary
Metals can chemically react with nonmetals to form new chemical compounds. In most cases, these compounds are not comprised of molecules, but of ions arranged in solid crystalline networks.
No matter what ions are formed, the ionic network that is formed has no net charge. These implies that cations (+) and anions (-) combine in ratios that ensure charge neutrality.
Na+ Cl-

31. Characterizing Ionic Networks
Summary
The charge that atoms acquire when they react with each other is determined by their electron configurations. The ions that are formed tend to be those with a full shell electron configuration.
Many properties of ionic compounds are determined by the charge and the size of the ions in the network. These forces are stronger the larger the charge of the ions and the smaller their size.
Coulomb’s Law + r

32. For next class,
When metals are combine they form alloys. Investigate the basic characteristics of these materials.
Why is that metals conduct electricity while ionic and molecular compounds do not?