electrolytes
Each substance can be classified as an ionic solute or a nonionic solute. Ionic solutes are electrolytes, and nonionic solutes are nonelectrolytes. Potassium chloride is an ionic compound; therefore, when it dissolves, its ions separate, making it an electrolyte. Fructose is a sugar similar to glucose. In fact, it has the same molecular formula as glucose. Because it is a molecular compound, we expect it to be a nonelectrolyte. Isopropyl alcohol is an organic molecule containing the alcohol functional group. The bonding in the compound is all covalent, so when isopropyl alcohol dissolves, it separates into individual molecules but not ions. Thus, it is a nonelectrolyte. Magnesium hydroxide is an ionic compound, so when it dissolves it dissociates. Thus, magnesium hydroxide is an electrolyte.