Covalent compounds

A covalent compound is a molecule formed by covalent bonds, in which the atoms share one or more pairs of valence electrons. A covalent bond is a chemical link between two atoms in which electrons are shared between them. 


Example: covalent bond between the oxygen and hydrogen in a water molecule (H2O). Each of the covalent bonds contains two electrons - one from a hydrogen atom and one from the oxygen atom. Both atoms share the electrons.

  • Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points.
  • Covalent compounds are mostly insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
  • Covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity in solid and molten state.