Ionic Compounds vs. Molecular Compounds
Main DifferenceCompound is recognized as a substance that is formed when two or more elements combine together in definite proportions through a chemical bond. Ionic compound is the compound formed due to electrostatic force of attraction between the metals and non-metals. Usually, the ionic compounds appear in a sold crystalline state. Furthermore, Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity and have high melting and boiling points. On the other hand, Molecular Compounds are formed due to sharing of electrons between two non-metals. Relative to ionic compound, they are poor conductor of electricity and posses low melting and boiling point.
Difference Between Ionic Compounds and Molecular Compounds
Ionic Compounds vs. Molecular Compounds
Ionic compounds are formed due to electrostatic force of attraction between metals and non-metals, whereas, Molecular Compounds are formed due to sharing of electrons between two non-metals.
Ionic Compounds vs. Molecular Compounds
Molecular Compounds are formed when two non-metals chemically combine, on the other hand, Ionic Compounds are formed between metal and non-mental.
Ionic Compounds vs. Molecular Compounds
Molecular Compounds are formed due to covalent bond between elements, while Ionic Compound is formed due to electrostatic force of attraction known as Ionic bond.
Ionic Compounds vs. Molecular Compounds
Molecular Compounds have low melting and boiling point as compare to the Ionic Compounds.
Ionic Compounds vs. Molecular Compounds
Molecular Compounds can be in any state, solid, liquid or gas at room temperature, whereas Ionic Compounds are always in solid state with forming crystalline appearance.
Ionic Compounds vs. Molecular Compounds
Molecular Compounds are poor conductor of electricity, whereas Ionic Compounds are good conductor of electricity.
Comparison Chart
| Ionic Compounds | Molecular Compounds |
| Ionic compounds are formed due to electrostatic force of attraction between metals and non-metals. | Molecular Compounds are formed due to sharing of electrons between two non-metals. |
| Group | |
| Ionic Compounds are formed between metal and non-mental. | Molecular Compounds are formed when two non-metals chemically combine |
| Bond | |
| Ionic Compound is formed due to electrostatic force of attraction known as Ionic bond. | Molecular Compounds are formed due to covalent bond between elements. |
| Melting & Boiling Point | |
| High | Low |
| State | |
| Ionic Compounds are always in solid state with forming crystalline appearance. | Molecular Compounds can be in any state, solid, liquid or gas at room temperature. |
| Conductor of Electricity | |
| Good | Bad |
What are Ionic Compounds?
These compounds are formed due to electrostatic force of attraction between metals and non-metals. In simpler words the force (ionic bonding) in this makes positively and negatively charged react together to make a compound. Usually, the ionic compounds appear in a sold crystalline state and are good conductors of electricity with having high melting and boiling points. Ionic Compounds are formed between metals and non-metals, and have some sort of shiny appearance.
Example: Table Salt (NaCl) is the most common example of Ionic Compound. In this formation, Sodium (NA) is metal, whereas Chlorine (Cl) is non-metal, both of them are held together due to the electrostatic force of attraction between both of them.
What are Molecular Compounds?
The compounds formed due to sharing of electrons between non-metals are known as Molecular Compound. The elements reacting in here are held together due to the covalent bonding, and that is why these compounds are often referred as Covalent Compounds. Relative to ionic compound, they are poor conductor of electricity and posses low melting and boiling point.
Example: In Ozone (O3), Oxygen combines with sharing of electrons to form Ozone.
