is LiCl is ionic or covalent

Question

Difference between li and cl  of electronegativity is more than 1.8 so it should be ionic...is it ionic???

Answer 1

Let's go over between ionic vs. covalent bond

 

An ionic bond is the product of the electrostatic forces of attraction between positive and negative ions.  An ionic compound consists of a large network of ions in which positive and negative charges are balanced.

 

In covalent bond, two electrons (one pair) are shared by two atoms.  In multiple covalent bonds, two or three pairs of electrons are shared by two atoms.  Some covalently bonded atoms also have lone pairs, that is, pairs of valence electrons that are not involved in bonding.

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As you look at LiCl, looks to be ionic because of the electrostatic forces of attraction between positive and negative ions.  Also, you can see the transfer of electrons.  As you write electron configuration of Li & Cl, 1s2 2s1 for Li and 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5 for Cl.  And this becomes 1s2 for Li & 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 by transferring an electron from Li to Cl.

 

 

Answer 2

LiCl is an ionic compound because Li is a metal (all elements in the first 2 rows are metals) and chlorine is a non-metal.

Answer 3

LiCl is an ionic compound

 

Because...

    1) Lithium is a metal and Chlorine is a nonmetal

    2) There is a large difference in electronegativity

    3) An electron is being transferred from Li to Cl

    4) Both become oppositely charged ions