What Is the Definition of a Molecular Compound?

Photosindia/Getty Images

A molecular compound can be defined as a compound where the atoms share electrons through covalent bonds. It is also known as a covalent compound. The covalent bonds are what hold the molecule together.

When atoms share electrons, they are able to have a full outer electron shell. This allows the molecule to have a stable configuration. Covalent bonds are considered to be a type of chemical bond. A chemical bond is a strong bond because the resulting molecule has a lower energy level than the atoms have individually.

Covalent bonding occurs between atoms that have similar electronegativities. An atom’s electronegativity depicts how strongly the atom tries to pull electrons to itself.