Question

What is the ionic bond formation of magnesium chloride?

Answer 1

The chemical bond that is formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another is known as an ionic bond. An ionic bond is formed when one of the atoms can donate electrons in order to achieve the inert gas electron configuration and another atom needs electrons to achieve the inert gas electron configuration.

Complete answer:
Magnesium chloride is formed as a result of transfer of electrons. Magnesium has a valency of $+ 2$ while chlorine has a valency of $- 1$ .Hence , the final product obtained is $MgC{l_2}$.
We can understand the formation of $MgC{l_2}$ by going through the following points:
Magnesium is a metal belonging to group $2A$. It tends to lose its outermost valence electrons in order to become a magnesium ion. Hence, the magnesium metal is oxidized.
$C{l_2}$ molecules which are covalently bonded gain two electrons to form two chloride ions. Hence, Chlorine is reduced. The two electrons that are lost by the magnesium are gained by the chlorine atom and thus produce magnesium ions and two chloride ions.
The oppositely charged ions of magnesium and chlorine attract each other and the ionic bonds are formed. Each cation is surrounded by anions, and each anion is surrounded by cations. Hence, the simplest formula for this ionic compound is $MgC{l_2}$.

Note:
The three major factors that affect the ionic bond formation are: Ionization energy, Electron affinity, Lattice energy. The favourable factors for ionic bond formation are: Low ionization enthalpy of metal atom, High electron gain enthalpy of a non metal, High lattice energy of the compound formed.