Which types of bonding involves the transfer of electrons?

Ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. This process typically occurs between metals and non-metals. In ionic compounds, a metal atom donates one or more of its electrons, achieving a positive charge (cation), while a non-metal atom accepts those electrons, resulting in a negative charge (anion). The opposite charges attract, leading to the formation of an ionic bond. This electron transfer is fundamental to the structure and properties of ionic compounds, distinguishing this type of bonding from covalent bonding, where electrons are shared, and metallic bonding, which involves a sea of delocalized electrons.