Molecular solid

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Part of the crystal structure of solid carbon dioxide, a molecular solid containing discrete CO₂ molecules

A molecular solid is a solid composed of molecules held together by relatively weak intermolecular forces. Because these forces are weaker than chemical covalent bonds, molecular solids are soft, and generally have low melting and boiling temperatures. Most molecular solids are nonconducting when pure, because molecules are uncharged and can't carry electric current. Another common property of molecular substances is insolubility in water, but solubility in non-polar solvents; a few molecular substances such as ethanol dissolve in water, and a few polar ones such as HCl will ionize, but most such as oil, benzene or H₂ won't. Examples of molecular solids include sulfur, ice, sucrose, solid carbon dioxide, crystals of coordination compounds, etc.

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