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Related Concept Videos

Ionic Association01:28

Ionic Association

193
The ionic association is the association of oppositely charged ions in an electrolyte solution to form ion pairs. Bjerrum defined ion pairs as two oppositely charged ions whose electrostatic attraction exceeds the thermal energy of the system, typically expressed as 2kT. Electrostatic attraction depends on ionic charge, separation distance, and the dielectric constant of the medium. Thermal energy, represented by kT, reflects the tendency of ions to move independently due to molecular motion.
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Intermolecular Forces03:13

Intermolecular Forces

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Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen...
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Intermolecular Forces03:13

Intermolecular Forces

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Ionic Bonds00:42

Ionic Bonds

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Overview
When atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration they form ions. Ionic bonds are electrostatic attractions between ions with opposite charges. Ionic compounds are rigid and brittle when solid and may dissociate into their constituent ions in water. Covalent compounds, by contrast, remain intact unless a chemical reaction breaks them.
Opposing Charges Hold Ions Together in Ionic Compounds
Ionic bonds are reversible electrostatic interactions between ions...
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Ionic Bonds00:42

Ionic Bonds

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10.8K
Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer02:48

Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer

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Ions are atoms or molecules bearing an electrical charge. A cation (a positive ion) forms when a neutral atom loses one or more electrons from its valence shell, and an anion (a negative ion) forms when a neutral atom gains one or more electrons in its valence shell. Compounds composed of ions are called ionic compounds (or salts), and their constituent ions are held together by ionic bonds: electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged cations and anions. 
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From Molecules to Materials: Engineering New Ionic Liquid Crystals Through Halogen Bonding
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Ion pairing in ionic liquids.

Barbara Kirchner1, Friedrich Malberg, Dzmitry S Firaha

  • 1Mulliken Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie Universität Bonn, Beringstraße 4+6, D-53115 Bonn, Germany.

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|October 29, 2015
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The existence of neutral ion pair aggregates in ionic liquids (ILs) is debated. This study suggests that charge transfer between IL ions and short ion-contact lifetimes challenge the presence of these aggregates.

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Area of Science:

  • Physical Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • The presence or absence of ion pair-like aggregates in ionic liquids (ILs) is a subject of extensive scientific debate.
  • Experimental studies offer conflicting evidence regarding the existence of neutral subunits in ILs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on ion pair aggregates in ionic liquids.
  • To investigate the validity of assuming unity charges for ions in ILs.
  • To reconcile contradictory experimental findings on ion aggregation in ILs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on ionic liquids.
  • Calculation of ionic liquid clusters of varying sizes to analyze charge distribution.
  • Molecular dynamics simulations to determine ion-ion contact lifetimes and motion.

Main Results:

  • Assuming unity charges for ionic liquid ions is erroneous due to substantial charge transfer.
  • Calculations indicate that charge transfer reduces the total charge of ionic liquid ions.
  • Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that ion-ion contact lifetimes and joint motions are too short to support neutral units.

Conclusions:

  • The charge transfer effects and short ion-contact dynamics in ionic liquids challenge the existence of neutral ion pair-like aggregates.
  • These findings may help bridge the gap between contradictory experimental results in the field.
  • Re-evaluation of experimental assumptions regarding ion charges is necessary.