Can Molecules Be Ionic?

Compounds can be covalent or ionic. ... The most common example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride NaCl, better known as table salt. Unlike covalent compounds, there is no such thing as a molecule of an ionic compound.

What makes a molecule ionic?

When an element composed of atoms that readily lose electrons (a metal) reacts with an element composed of atoms that readily gain electrons (a nonmetal), a transfer of electrons usually occurs, producing ions. ... A compound that contains ions and is held together by ionic bonds is called an ionic compound.

Can a molecule contain ionic bonds?

Some chemical compounds contain both ionic and covalent bonds. These are ionic compounds that contain polyatomic ions. Often, a compound with both types of bonds contains a metal bonded to an anion of covalently bonded nonmetals.