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Covalent compounds are generally not good conductors because the electrons are not free to move. Solid ionic compounds are generally not good conductors because the ions are not free to move as they are locked in place in a lattice (this is not true when ionic compounds are molten or in solution!)

As always there are a few exceptions, graphite is covalent but the electrons are delocalised and it does conduct, there are also a few other inorganic conductors.

There are also some conductive organic polymers which have delocalised free electrons, these are called ICP's .

There is also a small group of what are called fast ion conductors where the crystal structure allows the ions to wander, some are used in solid oxide fuel cells.

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12y ago

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