Mitteiooniline

Mitteiooniline refers to a substance or solution that does not ionize in water. This means that when dissolved, the molecules remain intact and do not break apart into charged ions. In contrast, ionic compounds, such as salts like sodium chloride, readily dissociate into cations and anions when placed in water.

The properties of non-ionic substances are often different from their ionic counterparts. For instance, non-ionic solutions typically do not conduct electricity because there are no free-moving charged particles. Many organic compounds, such as sugars (like glucose) and alcohols (like ethanol), are non-ionic. These substances dissolve in water through hydrogen bonding, where the polar parts of the molecule interact with water molecules.

In biological systems, many important molecules are non-ionic. For example, proteins can exhibit non-ionic behavior depending on their surrounding environment and charge distribution, though they can also carry charges. Lipids, which are largely nonpolar, are also generally considered non-ionic and have limited solubility in water. The term "non-ionic" is also commonly used in chemistry and medicine to describe certain types of surfactants and contrast agents, indicating they do not carry an electrical charge. This lack of charge can be advantageous in certain applications, such as reducing potential toxicity or improving compatibility with biological tissues.