How does an ionic compound dissolve in water?

Question

anonymous · Answer

That is because usually, ionic compounds have high electronegative elements as ions, which will make hydrogen bonds with the hydrogen from water.
As this happens, the anion will disintegrate from their original compound to attach to the hydrogen from water.

kyanthedoodle · Answer

Thanks.

aaronq · Answer

I don't fully agree with that answer. 

Ions don't make hydrogen bonds with water. Hydrogen bonds are strong dipole-dipole attractions that ONLY occur when they're bound to highly electronegative atoms, O, N and F.

Ions $\sf do$ form ion-dipole attractions with water, their orientation is dependent on their charge. The partial negative end (oxygen) fixes itself to the cation and the partial positive end (hydrogens) fix to the anions. The ions become surrounded with water molecules and no longer feel a charge towards one another. Ionic compounds that are insoluble because water molecules can't come between the ions and $\sf screen$ their charge.