Which property is typically associated with covalent compounds?

Covalent compounds are primarily associated with the property that they do not conduct electricity in solution. This is because these compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between nonmetal atoms, resulting in the formation of distinct molecules rather than ions. In a solution, covalent compounds typically do not dissociate into charged particles; instead, they remain as neutral molecules.

As a result, when dissolved in water or another solvent, they lack free ions, which are necessary for the conduction of electricity. For instance, substances like sugar dissolve in water and do not produce ions, hence do not conduct electricity, showcasing the typical behavior of many covalent compounds.

In contrast, properties such as hardness, high melting points, or ease of crystalline formation are more commonly associated with ionic compounds. Ionic compounds consist of charged ions that result from the transfer of electrons, leading to strong ionic bonds and structures that are often hard, brittle, and high in melting points. Therefore, the characteristic of not conducting electricity in solution is a defining property of covalent compounds.