What characterizes an ionic bond?

An ionic bond is specifically characterized by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. This type of bond occurs when one atom donates one or more of its electrons to another atom, resulting in the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. These ions then attract each other due to their opposite charges, creating a strong bond.

In the context of other options, sharing of electrons indicates a covalent bond rather than an ionic bond. Attraction between neutral atoms does not result in the formation of ionic bonds, as it typically refers to van der Waals forces or other weak interactions. Delocalized electrons are associated with metallic bonding, where electrons are shared across many atoms rather than between specific pairs. Thus, the defining characteristic of an ionic bond is indeed the attractive force between ions of opposite charges, which is central to the formation of ionic compounds.