Nonelectrolytes – Definition, Meaning, Examples

Nonelectrolyte is a compound in chemistry, that when dissolved in liquid state, do not produce ions like sugar or ethanol. They do not conduct electric current in their molten state, as they do not have ions that can flow. A nonelectrolyte compound is defined as a substance that does not contain any ionic forms in an aqueous solution.

In this article, we will understand more about nonelectrolyte compounds, their properties, and their applications using examples.

What are Nonelectrolytes?

Nonelectrolytes are substances that do not dissociate into ions when dissolved in a solvent, such as water. In other words, they do not conduct electricity in their dissolved state. Instead, they remain intact. Examples of nonelectrolytes include many organic compounds such as sugars, alcohols, and most covalent compounds. When these substances dissolve in water, they do not break apart into ions, and therefore, they do not contribute to the conductivity of the solution.

Definition of Nonelectrolyte

A nonelectrolyte is a substance that does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in a solvent, typically water.

Examples of Nonelectrolytes

Nonelectrolytes do not create ions, when they are in soluble form. For example, water in general conducts electricity, but when we mix a sufficient amount of sugar in it, it becomes resistant to electricity as sugar is a pure covalent bond.

There are many more examples of non-electrolytes, like sugar. Other examples of non-electrolytes that do not conduct electricity are alcohol, glucose, and other organic compounds. Glucose or sugar readily dissolve in water but do not dissociate into ions, hence glucose containing solutions are nonelectrolytes. Other than glucose one common example of nonelectrolyte is ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol. Most carbon compounds such as hydrocarbons are nonelectrolytes as they do not dissolve in water. This list of examples of nonelectrolytes are

• Sugar (sucrose)
• Alcohol (ethanol)
• Glycerol
• Urea
• Glucose
• Acetone
• Ethylene glycol
• Organic acids (e.g., acetic acid)
• Nonpolar gases (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen)
• Hydrocarbons (e.g., methane, ethane)

Properties of Nonelectrolytes

As per definition, Nonelectrolytes(sugar, urea, glucose) are substances that do not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, so the basic property of nonelectrolyte compound is there are no or very less ions which do not allow flow of electric current through them. Other properties of non electrolytes are as discussed below.

• They do not undergo electrolysis
• They do not affect freeze
• They do not affect boiling point
• They do not conduct electricity
• They are molecular compounds with covalent bonds
• They do not undergo molecular dissociation
• They are less soluble
• They increase osmotic pressure of solution.

Applications of Nonelectrolytes

Nonelectrolytes are used as solvent, drugs and medication, cosmetics, in food industry as sweeteners and various other places. They are basically used when we need an insulator solution. Lets read more about the applications of nonelectrolytes.

• Solvent, drugs and Medication: In labs, we need solvents for experimental and dissolving purposes. The versality of nonelectrolytes in chemical industry is huge. Benzene and acetone are common used solvents. Many drugs used for medication uses nonelectrolytes for stability and effectiveness. Because of all these benefits they are used as cosmetics as well.
• Chemical Reaction and Manufacturing: Nonelectrolytes are used as solvents in organic chemical reactions where we do not require presence of ions as it might effect the reaction. Other than that, they are also used in ink and dye production as solvents due to their non-electrolytic properties.
• Cleaning agent and coolants: Some nonelectrolytes like ethanol is used as cleaning agents as they can dissolve oil and have anti-bacterial properties.
• Antifreeze: Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, both nonelectrolytes, are used as antifreeze agents in automotive cooling systems.
• Osmotic Regulation: Nonelectrolytes play a role in osmotic regulation in biological systems, maintaining cell structure and function by controlling water movement across cell membranes.

Recognizing Nonelectrolytes

One of the best identifiers in electrolytes and nonelectrolytes is the type of bonds they form. Generally electrolytes tend to make ionic bonds whereas nonelectrolytes form covalent bonds.

As compounds are held with covalent bonds, when they come in contact with polar solvent, it does not break as in electrolytes. Hence, molecules of nonelectrolytes are nonpolar in nature and are poor conductors of electricity due to absence of ions.

Adding a nonelectrolyte to a solvent, such as water, will result in boiling point elevation and freezing point depression, similar to adding a nonvolatile solute.

Distinguishing Nonelectrolytes from Electrolytes

Electrolytes and Nonelectrolytes are two types of compounds generally classified on the basis of their ability to conduct electricity. In case you are given two salts then we can distinguish between nonelectrolytes from electrolytes on the following basis:

Nonelectrolytes	Electrolytes
They do not conduct electricity when dissolved in water or other solvents.	They conduct electricity when dissolved in water or other solvents.
They do not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water.	They dissociate into ions when dissolved in water.
The molecules of nonelectrolytes held together by covalent bonds.	They are typically composed of ions held together by ionic bonds.
Their solution do not undergo electrolysis when an electric current is passed through them.	Their solution undergo electrolysis when an electric current is passed through them.

Conclusion

Nonelectrolytes are elements that form covalent bonds and do not dissociate ions when mixed in water. Common examples of nonelectrolytes are glucose and ethanol. They are used in various industry, including food industry, drug and medicine, cosmetics, manufacturing and in experimental labs where presence of ions in solution can effect the reaction. To understand more about it check out Electrolytes as well.

Nonelectrolytes Frequently Asked Questions

What are nonelectrolytes?

Elements which do not dissociate in ions when mixed with water, hence act as insulators are known as nonelectrolytes.

What are the examples of nonelectrolytes?

Common Examples of nonelectrolytes are glucose, ethanol and organic compounds.

Is drinking water a nonelectrolyte?

Water is a weak electrolyte, if number of ions are negligible it can be considered as nonelectrolytes as well.

Is sodium chloride a nonelectrolyte?

It is an electrolyte as a salt solution, which when mixed with water dissociate into Na⁺ and Cl^– ions.

How nonelectrolytes are different from electrolytes?

One major difference is conductivity, Electrolytes are good conductors with ionic bonds while nonelectrolytes are bad conductors with covalent bonds.

How to identify nonelectrolytes?

We can identify by observing their reaction with any polar solvent(water).

Why are nonelectrolytes important?

They form the base solvents of reactions where we do not need ions, which make them useful in food industry for sweeteners, manufacturing ink and dye, medication and drugs, cosmetics and other various fields.