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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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Crystal Field Theory
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Published on: September 7, 2019

Anionic Copper Clusters Reacting with NO: An Open-Shell Superatom Cu₁₈.

Baoqi Yin^1,2, Qiuying Du³, Lijun Geng^1,2

¹State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

|June 30, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers studied copper cluster anions (Cu_n^-) and found a stable open-shell cluster, Cu₁₈^-. This superatom exhibits unique electronic properties, offering new insights into coinage metal cluster chemistry.

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Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

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Published on: September 7, 2019

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Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F⁻

Published on: July 27, 2018

Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Materials Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Gas-phase metal clusters enable atomic-level study of material stability and reactivity.
Understanding cluster properties is crucial for developing novel materials.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the reactivity and stability of copper cluster anions (Cu_n^-, n=7-37).
To explore the electronic structure and superatomic behavior of Cu₁₈^-.

Main Methods:

Preparation of well-resolved copper cluster anions.
Systematic reactivity studies with O₂, NO, and CO.
Analysis of electronic configuration and molecular orbitals.

Main Results:

Remarkable stability observed for the open-shell Cu₁₈^- cluster, comparable to closed-shell clusters.
Cu₁₈^- exhibits superatom characteristics with an unpaired electron primarily from the central atom.
An electron configuration of 1S²1P⁶1D¹⁰2S¹||1F⁰ was identified, mimicking coinage metal atoms.

Conclusions:

Cu₁₈^- functions as an open-shell superatom, challenging traditional magic number concepts.
Unique electrostatic interactions contribute to the superatomic stability of Cu₁₈^-.
Findings provide novel insights into the chemistry and electronic behavior of coinage metal clusters.