Ionic bonding question about "double" ionic bonds

[ProjectFringe]

Is a "double" ionic bond (the transfer of two electrons) like in MgO any stronger (or really any different, structurally etc.) than a "single" ionic bond (the transfer of one electron) like in NaCl?

 

[chemisttree]

Yes it is. Doubling the ionic charge nearly quadruples the bond energy.

 

[Borek]

Ionic bonds are mostly about simple Coulomb forces, these are quite easy to estimate with

$$F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$$

Just try to put what you wrote into the equation and you will see where @chemisttree answer comes from.

 

[ProjectFringe]

Is it possible then to make NaCl with a double ionic bond by combining in a lab Cl⁺ and Na^-? Does this compound exist and if so what is it called (how to differentiate from normal NaCl)?

 

[Borek]

No, you can't make a double bond out of single charged ions.

And you can't ionize Na nor Cl further - that is, in some exotic conditions you can, but when you combine them the Na²⁺ will steal an electron from Cl^2- and they will live happily ever after in their local energetic optimum.

 

[ProjectFringe]

Got it. Thanks

 

[ProjectFringe]

No, you can't make a double bond out of single charged ions.

And you can't ionize Na nor Cl further - that is, in some exotic conditions you can, but when you combine them the Na²⁺ will steal an electron from Cl^2- and they will live happily ever after in their local energetic optimum.

Sorry, one more question.

What reaction would occur between Cl₂ and a Na^-? Would a Cl atom steal an electron from Na, making Cl^- + NaCl? Or would the Na^- create an ionic bond with both Cl atoms creating a structure similar to MgCl₂?

 

[ProjectFringe]

Sorry, one more question.

What reaction would occur between Cl₂ and a Na^-? Would a Cl atom steal an electron from Na, making Cl^- + NaCl? Or would the Na^- create an ionic bond with both Cl atoms creating a structure similar to MgCl₂?

Actually, I was able to find both compounds here:

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/22590707

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/57736105

So, what makes the difference between which of these compound structures is formed, or are they the same thing?

 

[Borek]

Sodium dichloride (assuming it exists) is not Na^- + Cl₂, if anything, I would treat it as Na⁺ + 2Cl^-.