Ionic solids are poor conductors of electricity because their ions are fixed in position. Their ions are not free to move about. They are fixed in crystal lattices.
For the conduction of electricity, compounds must possess free mobile electrons and moving ions in solution.
Ionic compounds are formed by the electrostatic attraction between a metallic and non-metallic ion.
They actually contain ions but their ions are locked up.
They are not free to move about.
Electrical conduction involves ion mobility.
In molten and aqueous forms, they are able to conduct electricity because their ions are then mobile.
