Sucrose, with the chemical formula C12H22O11, is a covalent compound. Unlike ionic compounds, which are formed from the electrostatic attraction between cations and anions, covalent compounds are formed when atoms share electrons.
In the case of sucrose, the molecule is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, which are bonded together through covalent bonds. This means that the atoms share electrons to achieve stability rather than transferring electrons as seen in ionic compounds.
When sucrose is dissolved in water, the sucrose molecules do not dissociate into ions. Instead, they remain intact as whole molecules. The water molecules surround the sucrose molecules, and the polar nature of water helps to separate and disperse the sucrose throughout the solution. This interaction between water and sucrose allows the solid sucrose to dissolve, forming a sweet solution without breaking the sucrose molecules into smaller ions.