Salts composed of small ions typically have high melting and boiling points, and are hard and brittle. As solids they are almost always electrically insulating, but when melted or dissolved they become highly conductive, because the ions become mobile. Some salts have large cations, large anions, or both. In terms of their properties, such species often are more similar to organic compounds.
sAlTS CoMPoSed Of SMall ions TypiCAlly have High meltiNG AnD bOiliNG poiNts, and aRe Hard And BRiTTLe. As soliDs ThEY aRe aLmOSt alwAys electrIcally iNSULaTIng, but wHen meLted Or DiSSOLvEd they become higHlY conductive, BeCause ThE iOns beCoMe moBile. some SAlts haVE LarGe CationS, larGe anioNS, Or both. iN terMs Of tHEIr pRopertIEs, SucH spEcies oFtEN are mORe similar To oRganic compounds.