Ionic compounds are formed by the bonding of non-metals to metals. Because inonic bonds involve electon transfer, the result is a mixture of ions; positive and negative, following the laws of electrostatics, like charges attract. These ions then form a giant structure (lattice) of ionic bonds and it is because of this that ionic compounds are solids (unless dissolved in water) and have extremely high melting and boling temparatures. In additions, beucase of the fixed placement of ions (charged particles) in a lattice, in the solid state ionic compounds don't conduct electricity very well but if dissolved in water (aqueous solution) the ions are free to move and carry a current.
