Properties of ionic and Covalent Compounds
These forces are very strong
Atoms combine to form compounds by
completing their octet of electrons. This atom
combination can take place in two ways, either by
complete electron transference or by sharing of
electrons. The complete transference of electrons
give rise to ionic bonds and the corresponding
compounds are called ionic compounds.
Whereas, the sharing of electrons lead to
formation of covalent bonds and covalent
compounds. Due to different way of atom
combination, these compounds have different
physical and chemical properties.
 Physical properties of ionic compounds
Physical state. The ionic compounds can exists as
solid only as the constituent particles are closely
packed due to strong electrostatic forces of
attraction.
Crystal structure. In ionic compounds the
constituent particles occupying the lattice points
are the positive and negative ions which are
arranged in a regular pattern in three dimensional
space.
High melting and boiling point. Due to strong
electrostatic forces of attraction existing among
the ions, they have high melting and boiling point.
Electrical conductivity. The ionic compounds are
good conductors of electricity in molten or
aqueous solution. However, they do not conduct
in crystalline state where the ions are not free to
move.
Solubility. The ionic compounds are soluble in
water and in other polar solvents. They are
insoluble or very less soluble in non-polar solvents.
 Ionic substances.
In ionic substances, the units occupying the lattice
points are positive and negative ions. For example,
Sodium Chloride, KNO3, and Na2SO4. In sodium
chloride, the units occupying are Na+ ions and Cl-
ions. These are held together by electrostatic
forces of attraction.
and therefore the amount of energy required to
separate these ions is very high. The ionic
substances are polar in nature; they are soluble in
polar solvents such as water. Also, due to ions,
these substances conduct electricity. Commented [dd7]: 8 y 9
 Covalent Substances: In these substances, the
lattice points are occupied by atoms which are
linked together by a network of covalent bonds.
For example, Diamond possess three
dimensional structure. In diamond, the carbon
atoms are linked together by covalent bonds to Commented [dd1]: 2
give three dimensional structure. Covalent
substances like diamond have high melting and
boiling points, low volatility and are extremely
hard because the structure is a strong network
of covalent bonds. Also diamond is a non-
conductor of electricity. Commented [dd8]: 10 y 11
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In some covalent substances, the network of
covalent bonds is two dimensional. For example
Graphite. Thus, all atoms in a single plane are
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linked to give flat hexagons. These hexagons are
held together like sheets parallel to one another.
However the distance between the sheets is large.
So there is no covalent bonding between the Commented [dd4]: 5
sheets which makes the fourth valency of carbon
free (some electrons remain free or unpaired). Commented [dd9]: 12
This allows passage of electricity through graphite
making it a good conductor of electricity. Also as
the cohesive forces between different sheets are Commented [dd5]: 6
weak, these substances are soft.
 Properties of Ionic and Covalent
compounds Commented [dd6]: 7
Ionic bond
Ionic bond results from complete transference of
one or more electrons from one atom to another
atom.
Some of the key properties of ionic bonds are as
below:
Shape: The shape of ionic bond is not definite.
Polarity: The ionic bonds are polar in nature as
there are positive and negative ions due to
electronegativity difference.
Melting and boiling point: Due to strong
electrostatic forces of attraction the ions they have
strong meting and boiling points.
Solubility: Because of polarity they are soluble in
polar solvents.
Strength: The strength of ionic bond is high due to
strong coulomb’s forces.
Covalent bond
Covalent bond is formed by sharing of electrons
between two non-metals.
Some of the key properties of covalent bonds are
as below.
Shape. The shape of covalent bond is definite.
Polarity. The covalent bonds are non-polar in
nature as there are atoms (no positive and
negative ions).
Melting and boiling point. They have generally low
melting and boiling point.
Solubility. Because of non-polar nature they are
soluble in non-polar or weakly polar solvents.
Strength. The strength of covalent bond is less
than that of ionic bonds as they lack strong
coulomb’s forces.
Chemical Properties of Covalent Compounds
Chemical compounds are formed when two non-
metals of similar electronegativity combine. Since
the electronegativity is similar, so the electron
combination takes place through sharing. This
makes the covalent compounds less non polar.
The chemical properties of covalent compounds
are given below.
Solubility: Covalent compounds are generally
insoluble in polar solvents such as water, alcohol
but are readily soluble in weakly polar or non-polar
solvents such as benzene, carbon tetrachloride. Commented [dd17]: 22
Direction: Since the covalent compound is formed
by sharing of electrons between non-metal atoms, Commented [dd10]: 14
the covalent bonds are rigid and directional. Due
to this the atoms can take up different directional
arrangements. Commented [dd18]: 23
Molecular Reactions: As the bonds in covalent
compounds are covalent and not ionic, these
Commented [dd11]: 15
compounds undergo molecular reactions (non-
ionic reactions) and the rate at which such
reactions take place is far lower than that for ionic Commented [dd12]: 16
compounds.
Physical state: The covalent compounds can exists
in all three states i.e. solid, liquid and gaseous. Commented [dd19]: 24
Crystal Structure: In covalent compounds the
constituent particles are the atoms which are
bound together in the form of network.
High Melting and Boiling Point: Due to weak van
der Waals forces, existing among atoms, they are
less tightly held. Therefore, covalent compounds
have low melting and boiling point. Commented [dd20]: 1
Electrical Conductivity: The covalent compounds Commented [dd13]: 17
are bad conductors of electricity as there are no
ions in them which can move or conduct
electricity.
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Solubility: The covalent compounds are generally
insoluble in water and in other polar solvents.
However, they are soluble in non-polar solvents. Commented [dd21]: 13
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