What type of elements form lonic bonds?

Ionic bonds typically form between metals and nonmetals. Metals, which have low electronegativity, lose electrons to become positively charged cations, while nonmetals, with higher electronegativity, gain these electrons to become negatively charged anions. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions results in the formation of an ionic bond. Common examples include sodium chloride (NaCl), where sodium (a metal) donates an electron to chlorine (a nonmetal).