The most common example of an ionic compound is sodium chloride NaCl, better known as table salt. Unlike covalent compounds, there is no such thing as a molecule of an ionic compound. ... The chemical formula NaCl specifies one formula unit of this compound.

Is NaCl a molecule or compound?

Something like table salt (NaCl) is a compound because it is made from more than one kind of element (sodium and chlorine), but it is not a molecule because the bond that holds NaCl together is an ionic bond. If you like, you can say that sodium chloride is an ionic compound.

Does NaCl exist as a molecule?

As a molecule, NaCl is not considered. In a chemical element or compound, a molecule is the smallest particle that has the chemical properties of that element or compound. ... By transferring electrons that generate ions, ionic compounds, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), are produced.