Go to top . The electrons involved in bond formation may be transferred from one atom to another, or may be shared equally or unequally between two atoms. This would place them in a condition of lowest energy content and maximum stability. Go to top . An ionic bond is formed by the transfer of one or more electrons from metals to nonmetals.
Ionic solids have high melting points.
As solids they do not conduct electricity. The transfer of electrons results in the formation of ions. Since the ion has a different electron configuration than the atom, the properties of the ion differ from those of the atom. In the geometric structure of the solid ionic crystal, ions form the crystal lattice and are held in relatively fixed positions by electrostatic attraction. When melted or dissolved in water, the crystal lattice is destroyed and the ions move freely.