Question: how are the ions held together in magnesium chloride?
Answer: Magnesium chloride or MgCl2 is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds are formed due to the electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely charged ions. Magnesium chloride is made of two types of ions, Mg2+ and Cl-. ... To accomplish this chlorine takes on an extra electron and is converted to a Cl- ion.