Covalent bonding does not give rise to any ions. How?

Most carbon compounds are poor conductors of electricity. Since these

compounds are largely non-conductors of electricity, we can conclude that
the bonding in these compounds does not give rise to any ions.

Covalent Compounds V/s Ionic Compounds-Properties

(i) Physical nature: Ionic compounds are solids and are somewhat hard
because of the strong force of attraction between the positive and negative
ions. These compounds are generally brittle and break into pieces when
pressure is applied.

Compounds containing covalent bonds have molecules whose structures

can be classified as either simple molecular or giant molecular.

Simple molecular structures are simple, formed from only a few atoms.
They have strong covalent bonds between the atoms within a molecule
(intramolecular bonds) but have weak bonds between the molecules
(intermolecular bonds). As simple molecular substances, they are
usually gases, liquids which are volatile (evaporate easily) or solids with
low melting and boiling points. This is because the attraction between the
molecules is low.

Giant molecular or macromolecular structures contain many hundreds

of thousands of atoms joined by strong covalent bonds. Giant molecular
substances have higher melting points and boiling, because the whole
structure is held together by strong covalent bonds.

(ii) Melting and Boiling points: Ionic compounds have high melting and
boiling points. This is because a considerable amount of energy is required
to break the strong inter-ionic attraction.

Molecular covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points.

This is because the attraction between the molecules is low. So it does not
take much energy to break up the lattice and separate them from each
other. That explains why many molecular compounds are liquids or gases
at room temperature – and why many of the liquids are volatile (evaporate
easily).

iii) Solubility: Electrovalent compounds are generally soluble in

water and insoluble in solvents such as kerosene, petrol, etc. The
water molecules are able to separate the ions from each other. The ions
then move apart, surrounded by water molecules.
Generally, covalent compounds do not dissolve in water. However,
water is an excellent solvent and can interact with and dissolve some
covalent molecules better than others. Covalent substances are
generally soluble in organic solvents.

(iv) Conduction of Electricity:

The ionic compounds in aqueous solution or in molten state conduct

electricity. The conduction of electricity through a solution involves the
movement of charged particles. A solution of an ionic compound in water
contains ions, which move to the opposite electrodes when electricity is
passed through the solution. Ionic compounds in the solid state do not
conduct electricity because movement of ions in the solid is not possible
due to their rigid structure. But ionic compounds conduct electricity in the
molten state. This is possible in the molten state since the electrostatic
forces of attraction between the oppositely charged ions are overcome due
to the heat. Thus, the ions move freely and conduct electricity.

Generally, covalent compounds do not conduct electricity when

molten or dissolved in water. This is because they do not contain ions.
However, some molecules actually react with water to form ions. For
example, hydrogen chloride gas produces aqueous hydrogen ions and
chloride ions when it dissolves in water: