Positive and negative ions attract one another and bind together forming a new substance. This is called ionic bonding. It is usually between a positive metal ion which is going to donate ions to a negative ion which will receive those donated electrons. In doing so, it creates a bond between the two ions. This can be easily shown via a dot and cross diagram. Due to its unique bonding ionic compounds posses special properties. They have a high melting point due to the strength of the ionic bonds. Ionic compounds can also conduct electricity but only as a liquid as the ions are free to carry the charge.