Properties of Covalent Compounds

• The covalent compounds do not exist as ions but they exist as molecules

• They exist at room temperature, as liquids or gases. However, a few compounds also exist in the solid state e.g. urea, sugar, etc.

• The melting and boiling points of covalent compounds are generally low

• Covalent compounds are generally insoluble or less soluble in water and in other polar solvents

• These are poor conductors of electricity in the fused or dissolved state

• Since the covalent bond is localized in between the nuclei of atoms, it is directional in nature

• A covalent bond can be formed in different ways. When a bond is formed by mutual sharing of one pair of electrons it is known as a 'single covalent bond', or simply 'a single bond'. When a bond is developed due to mutual sharing of more than one pairs of electrons it is termed as 'multiple covalent bond'. Such bonds can be a double covalent bond or a triple covalent bond.