Question

Stop and hink What is the signiicance of determining whether or not the compound is covalent (potentially organic)?

Answer 1

In most of the molecules, the atoms are either ionically bound (mostly salts) or covalently bonded (organic compounds).

In ionic compounds, ions which have relatively high electronegative differences (e.g. NaCl), bond together. Thus the ionic bonds are stronger and polar. This results in high enthalpies of fusion and vaporization. They are good ionic conductors in solution, and most importantly, they are water-soluble.

On the other hand, the covalent compounds have low melting points and boiling points. They are bad conductors and less polar. Therefore, most of the covalent compounds are water-insoluble or sparsely soluble in the aqueous medium. But they can easily dissolve in the organic solvents.

So the characterization of a molecule is necessary to gain its basic properties which may be helpful on some occasions. For example, solubility plays a crucial role in choosing a proper solvent in a reaction.