| 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) |
- 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
