Covalent Compound – covalent bonding is strong bonding between the atoms in the molecule
| Ionic Compound |
Differences |
Covalent Compound |
| Ions |
Particles |
Molecules |
| Lost or gained |
Electron |
Shared |
| Strong electrostatics forces (Ionic bond) between the oppositely-charged ions arranged in a 3-D giant crystal lattice |
Forces |
Strong (Covalent bond) between the atoms in
the molecule. Weak forces of attraction between the molecules (van der
Waals’ forces) |
| Solid |
State |
Gases or volatile liquids |
| High |
Melting point |
Low (Simple molecules)High (Giant molecules) |
| High |
Melting point |
Low (Simple molecules)High (Giant molecules) |
| Non-volatile |
Volatility |
Very volatile (Simple molecules)Non-volatile (Giant molecules) |
| Dissolve in water and polar solvents |
Solubility in water |
Do not dissolve in water |
| Do not dissolve in organic solvent |
Solubility in organic solvent |
Dissolve in organic solvent (ether, alcohol, benzene, tetrachloromethane and propanone) |
| Conduct electricity in liquid and aqueous
solution (positive and negative ions can move freely). Cannot conduct
electricity in solid state (fixed position and cannot move freely). |
Electricity conductor |
Cannot conduct electricity in any state (no free mobile ions) |
Uses of covalent compounds as solvent
- Ether – solvents in the extraction of chemicals from aqueous solution
- Alcohol – solvents used to make ink and dye because these solvent are volatile
- Turpentine – dissolved paint
- CFC (chlorofluocarbons) – solvents to clean computer circuits board
- Propanone – remove nail varnish
