Are Network Covalent Solids Conductive

The key difference between molecular solid and covalent network solid is that molecular solid forms due to the activeness of Van der Waal forces whereas covalent network solid forms due to the action of covalent chemical bonds.

Nosotros can categorize solid compounds in dissimilar means – depending on the structure, composition, bonding, properties, applications, etc. Molecular solids, ionic solids, metal solids, covalent network solids are such unlike types of solids.

1. Overview and Fundamental Difference
two. What is Molecular Solid
3. What is Covalent Network Solid
four. Side by Side Comparison – Molecular Solid vs Covalent Network Solid in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Molecular Solid?

A molecular solid is a solid chemical compound containing molecules held together via Van der Waal forces. There are no ionic or covalent bonds between these molecules. The forces between these molecules are cohesive attraction forces. There are unlike types of Van der Waal forces that tin cause the germination of a molecular solid, i.e. dipole-dipole interactions, pi-pi interactions, hydrogen bonding, London forces, etc.

Figure 01: Formation of Molecular Solids due to Hydrogen Bonding

Nonetheless, these Van der Waal forces are weaker compared to ionic and covalent chemical bonds. Therefore, molecular solids typically have relatively low melting and humid points. Furthermore, these solids tend to dissolve in organic solvents. These molecular solids have a low density and are not-conductive too; thus, these are soft electric insulators.

Figure 02: Solid Carbon Dioxide and Solid Caffeine are Molecular Solids

Moreover, when considering the different allotropes of a element, all allotropes sometimes exist as molecular solids, but most of the times, some allotropes are molecular solids while other allotropes of the same chemical element are not molecular solids. For instance, there are different allotropic forms of phosphorus; we name them as red, white and black phosphorous. Among them, white phosphorous is a molecular solid, but carmine phosphorous exists every bit chain structures.

Furthermore, molecular solids are either ductile or breakable depending on the nature of crystal faces of the solid. Both these ductile and brittle forms can undergo elastic deformation every bit well.

What is a Covalent Network Solid?

Covalent network solids are solid compounds containing atoms bonded to each other via covalent chemical bonds. These solids have a number of repeating atoms linked to each other via covalent bonds. The chemic bonding can cause the formation of a network of atoms, which leads to the formation of a network solid. Therefore, we can consider a covalent network solid as a type of macromolecule.

Furthermore, these solids can occur in 2 ways; as crystalline solids or amorphous solids. A suitable example for a network solid is diamond with covalently bonded carbon atoms, which forms a strong 3D structure. Ordinarily, covalent network solids have relatively high melting and boiling points. More often than not, these solids are insoluble in any type of solvent because it is very difficult to break downwardly the bonds between atoms. Moreover, these solids are very hard and have a low conductivity at its liquid phase. The electrical conductivity at the solid stage may vary according to the composition.

What is the Deviation Between Molecular Solid and Covalent Network Solid?

Molecular solids and covalent network solids are ii types of solid compounds. The key difference between molecular solid and covalent network solid is that molecular solid forms due to the action of Van der Waal forces whereas covalent network solid forms due to the action of covalent chemical bonds. When considering their properties, molecular solids are relatively soft textile, while covalent network solids are very difficult.

Moreover, molecular solids take relatively depression melting points, whereas covalent network solids have very loftier melting points. Furthermore, molecular solids are electrical insulators, while covalent network solids have low electrical conductivity at the liquid state and the conductivity at solid phase may vary according to the composition. Water ice is a good example for molecular solids, while diamond is the all-time case of a covalent network solid.

Below infographic summarizes the deviation between molecular solid and covalent network solid.

Summary – Molecular Solid vs Covalent Network Solid

Reference:

1. Helmenstine, Anne Marie. "Molecular Solids: Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo, Dec. iii, 2018, Available hither.
2. Helmenstine, Anne Marie. "Network Solid Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Jul. 8, 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. "Acetic acid hydrogen bonding" By Cryst eng 340 – Own piece of work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. "Carbon dioxide and caffeine" By Cryst eng 340 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia