What are Anions?
Anions are ions with a negative charge. When a non-metal gains electrons, they form. They receive one or more electrons but keep all of their protons. They have a net negative charge as a result. Iodide (I–), chlorine (Cl–), and hydroxide (OH–) are examples of anions.
Formation of Anions
Non-metal atoms frequently gain electrons until their outermost main energy level reaches an octet. except for neon, all of these anions are isoelectronic. The greatest number of electrons obtained in the production of anions is three-under ordinary conditions.
Example of Anion: Chloride Ion
The chloride ion is a monoatomic monoanionic ion produced when the chlorine atom is ionized. Chlorine is a non-metal that takes the shared pair of electrons after a bond breaking, resulting in a negative charge. The chlorine ion has a chemical formula of Cl– and an ionic radius of 0.181 nm. The chloride ion is an electrolyte that is found in practically all bodily fluids. The image given above shows the structure of Chloride Ion
Cations vs Anions
Ions are charged species that are formed by the transfer of electrons from the outermost shell. Ions are either positive or negative in nature depending on the overall charge of the ion. If an atom loses an electron it has excess proton forming positive ions whereas if an atom gains an electron it has excess electrons forming negative ions.
In an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl), Na exists as a positive ion (cation) Na+, while Cl exists as a negative ion (anion) Cl–. Because both of them have opposite charges they are attracted to one another creating an ionic bond.
Let’s learn more about ions, their types (cations and anions), and the difference between cations and anions in this article.
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