The main difference is that mixtures are heterogeneous and the components are not combined in a fixed ratio. This means that they can be separated into the components because no chemical reaction has taken place between the components and they retain their individual properties. Examples of mixtures are soil and air. On the other hand compounds are homogenous because the components are bound together in a chemical reaction. Moreover, the components are present in a fixed ratio other wise the compound would not be formed and the components do not retain their individual properties.
