molecular compound
Covalently linked substance
A molecular compound is a substance formed when atoms share electrons rather than transferring them, creating discrete molecules.
Water, carbon dioxide, and sugar are molecular compounds—distinct from ionic compounds like table salt, where atoms exchange electrons entirely.
The term appears in chemistry courses to distinguish bonding types: Molecular compounds typically have lower melting points than ionic ones.
Dissolving potential in liquid
- polarityState of opposing forces
- volatilityRapid, unpredictable changeability
- boiling pointVaporization threshold
- melting pointLiquefaction threshold temperature
viscosity · density · reactivity · stability · hydrogen bonding · dipole-dipole · vapor pressure · miscibility
Shared-electron atomic link
- ionic bondElectrostatic attraction between ions
- electronegativityAtomic electron attraction strength
- valence electronsOutermost electrons determining reactivity
- bond energyStrength of atomic linkage
single bond · double bond · triple bond · pi bond · hybridization · resonance · hydrogen bond
Clear essential liquid
- ammoniaAcrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
- hydrogen peroxideOxidizing disinfectant and bleach
nitric oxide · sulfuric acid · phosphoric acid · hydrochloric acid · silica · nitrogen dioxide · carbon monoxide · ozone
All-carbon-and-hydrogen compound
- alkaneSaturated hydrocarbon series
- alkeneDoubly-bonded carbon compound
- alkyneTriple-bonded carbon compound
- carbohydrateSugar or starch compound
lipid · protein · nucleic acid · amino acid · polymer · biomolecule · ester · ether
Symbolic substance representation
- isomerSame formula, different shape
- stereoisomerMolecule differing only spatially
- conformerOne who follows norms
- molar massGrams per mole measurement
empirical formula · ball-and-stick model · tetrahedral · linear · bent · octahedral
solubility
Dissolving potential in liquid
- polarityState of opposing forces
- volatilityRapid, unpredictable changeability
- boiling pointVaporization threshold
melting point · viscosity · density · reactivity · stability · hydrogen bonding · dipole-dipole · vapor pressure · miscibility · hygroscopic
covalent bond
Shared-electron atomic link
- ionic bondElectrostatic attraction between ions
- electronegativityAtomic electron attraction strength
- valence electronsOutermost electrons determining reactivity
bond energy · single bond · double bond · triple bond · pi bond · hybridization · resonance · hydrogen bond
water
Clear essential liquid
- ammoniaAcrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
hydrogen peroxide · nitric oxide · sulfuric acid · phosphoric acid · hydrochloric acid · silica · nitrogen dioxide · carbon monoxide · ozone · hydrogen sulfide
hydrocarbon
All-carbon-and-hydrogen compound
- alkaneSaturated hydrocarbon series
- alkeneDoubly-bonded carbon compound
- alkyneTriple-bonded carbon compound
carbohydrate · lipid · protein · nucleic acid · amino acid · polymer · biomolecule · ester · ether · aldehyde
chemical formula
Symbolic substance representation
- isomerSame formula, different shape
- stereoisomerMolecule differing only spatially
- conformerOne who follows norms
molar mass · empirical formula · ball-and-stick model · tetrahedral · linear · bent · octahedral
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