Properties of Ionic and Covalent compounds

Properties of Ionic compounds 

1. Ionic compounds are mostly hard solids because the electrostatic force of attraction between the ions is strong.

2. Ionic compounds are electrolytes because their ions can move when the compounds are melted or dissolved in suitable solvents. 

3. The energy required to break the bonds in ionic crystals is high and therefore the melting points are high. 

4. Ionic compounds are usually soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents.

5. They do not exhibit structural and stereo isomerism.

Properties of Covalent compounds 

1. State of existence 

    Most of the covalent compounds are either gases or liquids.

2. Low melting and boiling points 

    Force of attraction between atoms in a molecule is a weak inter molecular force. A little energy is needed to overcome the inter molecular force. Hence covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points. 

3. Non Conductivity

      The electrical conductivity of these compounds is poor because of the non existence of ions. 

4. Solubility 

        They are soluble in organic solvents such as benzene, carbon tetra chloride, ether etc and insoluble in water.

5. Isomerism

        The covalent compounds generally exhibit isomerism. Isomerism is a phenomenon in which a single molecular formula can represent two or more compounds.