Ionic compound

Ionic compound
The simplest type of oxidation-reduction (coupled) reactions is that which occurs between metals and nonmetals of the Representative Elements. The transfer of electrons between the atoms of these elements result in drastic changes to the elements involved. This is due to the formation of ionic compounds. The reaction between sodium and chlorine serves as a typical example. The element sodium is a rather "soft" metal solid, with a silver-grey color. Chlorine is greenish colored gas. When a single electron is transferred between these elements, their atoms are transformed via a violent reaction into a totally different substance called, sodium chloride, commonly called table salt -- a white, crystalline, and brittle solid. 
Sodium chloride exhibits properties quite distinct and different from sodium and chlorine. The changes in physical as well as chemical properties are due to the formation of cations and anions via the oxidation-reduction process, and the resultant, powerful attractive force that develops between these oppositely charge ions. This force of attraction is called the ionic or electrostatic bond, and serves to keep the sodium and chloride ions tightly bound in a highly organized network or lattice of alternating positive and negative charges. This entire complex of ions is called an ionic compound, and is illustrated below in two dimensions. Note how the oppositely charged ions are arranged.