Question

Why are covalent compounds generally poor conductors of electricity?

Answer 1

Electrons are the basis of conducting electricity in any substance and these are formed by ions, so if the compound can form ions then it can conduct electricity and metals must be involved in the bond because it is the metals that conduct the electricity.

Complete answer:
Electricity is produced from a substance when the substance has free electrons in it. So we can say that electrons are the basis of conducting electricity in any substance and these are formed by ions.
We know that there are three types of bonds formed between two atoms, i.e., ionic bond, covalent bond, and coordinate bond. And we are given covalent bond compounds, so covalent bonds are the bonds formed between two same or different non-metal atoms. So, when the covalent bond breaks then there is no formation of ions. Ions are formed when the ionic bond breaks. These ions have the ability in an aqueous or molten state, but the covalent bond contains only non-metals and nonmetals have the inability to conduct electricity as well as heat.
For example, there are two compounds sodium chloride and carbon dioxide. When the sodium chloride dissociates, there is the formation of sodium ions and chloride ions while when the carbon dioxide dissociates we get carbon monoxide and oxygen gas. Only the ions can conduct electricity, not the carbon monoxide and oxygen gas.

Note:
Some of the compounds having the coordinate bond can conduct electricity when the central atom is a metal from the transition elements when they are in aqueous form or molten form.