A molecular compound typically consists of which types of elements?

A molecular compound is primarily formed by the sharing of electrons between two nonmetals. This concept stems from the nature of chemical bonding; nonmetals tend to have similar electronegativities, allowing them to form covalent bonds rather than transferring electrons as seen in ionic compounds. In many cases, compounds that include hydrogen are also considered molecular, particularly when hydrogen bonds with nonmetals like oxygen or nitrogen to form molecules like water (H2O) or ammonia (NH3).

This bonding through the shared electrons defines the molecular nature of these compounds, which usually consist of discrete molecules with specific arrangements of atoms. Hence, the defining characteristic of molecular compounds is the presence of two nonmetals or hydrogen bonded to a nonmetal, making this option the most accurate description of the types of elements that typically comprise a molecular compound.