Chemical Bond A chemical bond is a force of attraction between atoms or ions that holds them together in a compound. It is formed when atoms share, donate, or accept electrons in order to achieve a stable electron configuration and lower their overall energy. Types of bond. Ionic Bond: Ionic bonds occur when there is a complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another. This results in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). The opposite charges attract each other, creating a strong electrostatic force that holds the ions together. Ionic bonds typically occur between metals and nonmetals.