Which statement BEST describes how many Aluminum atoms are needed when making Aluminum chloride?

Question

1 Aluminum atom is needed because Aluminum donates one valence electron to Chlorine.

3 Aluminum atom is needed because Aluminum donates three valence electron to Chlorine.

3 Aluminum atom is needed because Aluminum accepts three valence electron from Chlorine.

2 Aluminum atom is needed because Aluminum accepts three valence electron from Chlorine.

Answer 1

Aluminum chloride = AlCl₃

This is an ionic compound where Al donates 3 valence electrons (1 each to the 3 Cl atoms). Thus, Al becomes 3⁺ and each Cl becomes 1^-.

I don't like any of the answers, but the one that comes closest to being correct is ..

1 Aluminum atom is needed because Aluminum donates one valence electron to Chlorine.