• Nature of Bonding: Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions. Covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.


• Type of Elements: Ionic compounds are usually formed between a metal and a non-metal. Covalent compounds are usually formed between non-metals.


• Physical Properties: Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points, are usually solid at room temperature, and have a crystalline structure. Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points, can exist as solids, liquids, or gases at room temperature, and have a molecular structure.


• Solubility: Ionic compounds are usually soluble in water and other polar solvents, but not in non-polar solvents. Covalent compounds are usually insoluble in water and polar solvents, but soluble in non-polar solvents.


• Conductivity: Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity when dissolved in water or melted because they have free ions that can carry an electric charge. Covalent compounds are usually poor conductors of electricity because they do not have free ions.

Ionic and covalent compounds differ in their nature of bonding, type of elements, physical properties, solubility, and conductivity. Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions, while covalent compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms. Ionic compounds are usually formed between a metal and a non-metal, while covalent compounds are usually formed between non-metals.

Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points, are usually solid at room temperature, and have a crystalline structure. Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points, can exist as solids, liquids, or gases at room temperature, and have a molecular structure.

Ionic compounds are usually soluble in water and other polar solvents, but not in non-polar solvents. Covalent compounds are usually insoluble in water and polar solvents, but soluble in non-polar solvents.

Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity when dissolved in water or melted because they have free ions that can carry an electric charge. Covalent compounds are usually poor conductors of electricity because they do not have free ions.