A molecular compound is a type of chemical compound formed when two or more nonmetal atoms bond together by sharing electrons. This sharing creates molecules, which are the smallest units of a molecular compound that retain its chemical properties. Common examples of molecular compounds include water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Molecular compounds typically have distinct properties, such as lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. They can exist in various states—solid, liquid, or gas—at room temperature. The interactions between the molecules in these compounds are generally weaker than those in ionic compounds, influencing their physical characteristics.