HC2H3O2, also known as acetic acid, is a molecular compound.
Molecular compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms, resulting in the formation of molecules. In the case of acetic acid, it consists of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms bonded together covalently.
The molecular formula of acetic acid, HC2H3O2, indicates that there are specific ratios of atoms in the compound. The hydrogen atom (H) is covalently bonded to the carbon atom (C), and the carbon atom is further bonded to two oxygen atoms (O) through covalent bonds. Additionally, the carbon atom is bonded to another hydrogen atom (H) and three hydrogen atoms (H) are bonded to the oxygen atom (O) of the carboxyl group (-COOH).
Therefore, HC2H3O2 (acetic acid) is a molecular compound due to the presence of covalent bonds between its constituent atoms.