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Differences between an ionic compound and a covalent compound.

Differences between Ionic Compounds and Covalent Compounds

Ionic compounds
Covalent compounds

1. Ionic compounds are usually crystalline solids.

2. Ionic compounds have high melting points and boiling points.  That is, ionic compounds are nonvolatile.

3. Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved in water or melted.

4. Ionic compounds are usually soluble in water.

5. Ionic compounds are insoluble in organic solvents ( like alcohol, ether, acetone, etc).

1. Covalent compounds are usually liquids or gases.  Only some of them are solids.

2. Covalent compounds have usually low melting points and boiling points.  That is, covalent compounds are usually volatile.

3. Covalent compounds do not conduct electricity.

4. Covalent compounds are usually insoluble in water (except, glucose, sugar, urea, etc).

5. Covalent compounds are soluble in organic solvents.




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