Ethanol, with the chemical formula C2H5OH, is classified as a covalent compound. This classification is based on the type of bonds that are formed between the atoms within the molecule.
Covalent compounds are formed when two or more non-metal atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer shell, which results in a stable configuration. In the case of ethanol, the carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms are all non-metals that share electrons. The bonds between the carbon and hydrogen, as well as between the carbon and oxygen, are covalent bonds characterized by the sharing of electron pairs.
On the other hand, ionic compounds are formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions. These ions then attract each other due to electrostatic forces. Since ethanol does not contain a metal and does not involve the transfer of electrons to form charged ions, it does not qualify as an ionic compound.
In summary, ethanol is a covalent compound because it consists of atoms that share electrons rather than forming ions.