molecule
Compounds are composed of molecules. Compounds are not necessary to form mixtures. There is an “or” in the said definition and certain authors to support this claim. These includes examples that can state clearly this argument, table salt as a mixture of independent elements, Na and Cl. Brass is composed of zinc and copper. Steel is from carbon and iron. Lastly, you can have gold, nickel and palladium or platinum to form white gold.