* Ionic Bonding: Iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃) is formed through ionic bonding. Iron (Fe) loses three electrons to become a positively charged ion (Fe³⁺), while oxygen (O) gains two electrons to become a negatively charged ion (O²⁻). These oppositely charged ions attract each other electrostatically, forming a crystal lattice structure.
* No Discrete Molecules: In ionic compounds, there are no distinct, independent molecules. Instead, the ions are arranged in a repeating pattern throughout the entire crystal. There's no single "molecule" of Fe₂O₃.
In contrast:
* Molecular Compounds: Molecular compounds are formed by sharing electrons between atoms (covalent bonding). This results in distinct, separate molecules with a specific number of atoms. Examples include water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Therefore, iron(III) oxide is considered an ionic compound, not a molecular compound.
