Difference between Organic and Inorganic Compounds - Meaning, Definition, Types, Examples

Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are chemical substances that contain carbon atoms in their molecules, usually bonded with hydrogen, and often with elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and halogens. These compounds may exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous states and form the foundation of organic chemistry.

Because carbon can form four covalent bonds and show catenation (self-linking), it gives rise to an enormous variety of organic compounds. To study them systematically, organic compounds are classified based on their structure.

Organic Chemicals

Organic chemistry was once thought to be restricted to the study of organic matter as part of biological processes, but as Friedrich Wohler discovered in the early 1800's, organic compounds could be synthesized from minerals and other non-organic matter in the laboratory. Indeed, modern science and chemistry focuses on the remarkable properties of carbon atoms in the production of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, and many other products. Organic chemicals contain carbon, which is almost always combined with other carbon and / or hydrogen.

In some cases, other substances, such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen, are also bound to carbon. There are several carbon compounds that can be considered as living particles. That includes carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, cyanates, cyanides and other ion compounds that contain carbon. Other substances, such as phosphorus, nitrogen and oxygen, are also sometimes bound to carbon. There are several carbon compounds that can be considered as living particles. That includes carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, cyanates, cyanides and other ion compounds that contain carbon.

Alcoholic beverages include chemicals such as ethanol and isopropanol. They are used as antiseptics and ethanol is the basis of the beverage industry. Finally, carboxylic acids contain a variety of chemicals, including drugs. Aspirin is one of the oldest forms of commercial drugs that contains carboxylic acid. While there are millions of living chemicals, there is an easy way to separate these compounds and how to design even the most complex chemicals. This unit will focus on helping you identify biological chemical breakdown and count only some of the most common combinations.

Natural compounds also contain carbon, as well as other substances that are essential for the production of living organisms. Carbon is the key as it has four electrons capable of inserting eight electrons into the outer shell. As a result, many types of bonds can be formed with other carbon atoms and such substances as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Hydrocarbons and proteins are the most powerful examples of organic molecules that are often capable of producing long chain structure and complex structures. The natural compounds formed by these cells form the basis for the chemical reaction of plant and animal cells - a reaction that provides the energy needed for food, reproduction, and all other life-related processes.

1. Acyclic or Open Chain Compounds:

These compounds are also known as aliphatic elements, with branched or straight chains.

2. Alicyclic or Closed Chain or Ring Compounds:

These are cyclic chemicals that contain carbon atoms attached to each other in a ring (homocyclic). Where atoms without carbon are present and are called heterocyclic.

They show other properties such as aliphatic chemicals.

3. Aromatic Compounds:

It is a special type of chemical that contains benzene and other ring-related chemicals. Like alicyclic, they can have heteroatoms in the ring. Such chemicals are called heterocyclic aromatic compounds.

(a) Benzenoid fragrant compounds

(b) Chemicals that contain benzenoid fragrances

4. Heterocyclic Aromatic Compounds

Organic chemicals are also often categorized on the basis of functional groups of families or even homologous series.

Functional group

A functional group can be defined as an atom or group of atoms that are joined together in a certain way, responsible for the unique chemical properties of living chemicals. Examples, in this case, are the hydroxyl group -OH, the aldehyde group -CHO and the carboxylic acid group -COOH.

Homologous Series

A group or series of living organisms in which each member consists of a group that acts similarly and different from each other by a constant unit forming a homologous series and hence, its members are often known as homologous. The members of the homologous series can be represented by a standard formula and the successive members differ from each other in the molecular formula by the CH2 unit. There are many homologous series in organic element chemistry such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, haloalkanes, alkanols, amines, etc.

Inorganic compounds

The term organic refers to the chemical compounds that contain carbon atoms. Thus, the chemical branch of chemical research, that does not contain carbon-hydrogen atoms, is called ‘Inorganic Chemistry.’ In simple terms, it is the opposite of Organic Chemistry. Non-carbon-hydrogen bonding materials are metals, salts, chemical substances, etc. On this planet, it is known that there are about 100,000 Inorganic compounds. Inanimate chemistry tests the function of these compounds and their properties, their physical and chemical properties.

The elements of the time table apart from carbon and hydrogen, come in a series of Inorganic compounds. Many elements are technically important: titanium, iron, nickel, and copper, for example, are used in construction and electricity. Second, flexible metals form many useful alloys, each with other metal components.

Classification of Inorganic compounds

Inorganic compounds are chemical substances that generally do not contain carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds. To study their properties and reactions systematically, inorganic compounds are classified into different groups based on their composition and chemical behavior.

1. Acids

Substances that produce H⁺ ions in aqueous solution.

Types of Acids

• Mineral (Inorganic) Acids: $\mathrm{HCl}, \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4, \mathrm{HNO}_3$

• Oxyacids: $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4, \mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{PO}_4$

• Hydracids: HCl, HBr

2. Bases

Substances that produce OH⁻ ions in aqueous solution or accept protons.

Examples

• Alkalis (water-soluble bases): NaOH, KOH
• Weak bases: NH₄OH

3. Salts

Compounds formed by neutralization of acids and bases.

Types of Salts

• Normal salts: $\mathrm{NaCl}, \mathrm{K}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$
• Acidic salts: $\mathrm{NaHSO}_4$
• Basic salts: $\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{OH}) \mathrm{Cl}$
• Double salts: Mohr's salt
• Complex salts: $\mathrm{K}_4\left[\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_6\right]$

4. Oxides

Binary compounds of oxygen with another element.

Types of Oxides

• Acidic oxides: CO₂, SO₂
• Basic oxides: CaO, MgO
• Amphoteric oxides: Al₂O₃, ZnO
• Neutral oxides: CO, NO

5. Hydrides

Compounds formed between hydrogen and another element.

Types

• Ionic hydrides: NaH, CaH₂
• Covalent hydrides: CH₄, NH₃
• Metallic (interstitial) hydrides: PdHₓ

6. Coordination (Complex) Compounds

Compounds containing a central metal atom or ion bonded to ligands.

Examples

$\begin{aligned} & {\left[\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{NH}_3\right)_4\right] \mathrm{SO}_4} \\ & \mathrm{~K}_4\left[\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_6\right]\end{aligned}$

Types of Reactions in Inorganic Compounds

There are about four types of Inorganic substances chemistry compounds namely combinations, decomposition, single migration and double evolving reactions.

Combination Reaction As in the word 'Combination', where two or more substances combine to form a product called a Combination reaction.

Example: Barium $+\mathrm{F}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{BaF}_2$

A type of reaction where one item splits in half or rots into two products. Example: FeS → Fe + S

Transfer Alone Response A reaction when one atom of one substance replaces another atom of one more substance.

Example: $\mathrm{Zn}+\mathrm{CuSO}_4 \rightarrow \mathrm{Cu}+\mathrm{ZnSO}_4$

This reaction is also called the 'metathesis reaction'. Here two elements of two different chemicals are removed to form two new compounds.

Example: $\mathrm{CaCl}_2(\mathrm{aq})+2 \mathrm{AgNO}_3(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{NO}_3\right)_2(\mathrm{aq})+2 \mathrm{AgCl}(\mathrm{s})$

Inorganic salt

Salt is a neutral ionic compound formed by the chemical reaction of acid and base, or by neutralization. Salt is formed when ions are bound together by an ionic bond and split into ions (except H⁺ or OH^-) when dissolved in a solvent like water. Unlike organic salt, which contains CH bonds, inorganic salt does not have CH bonds. Sodium chloride, a chemical compound composed of sodium and chloride ions is one of the most popular salts. Inorganic salts are needed for living organisms to thrive and grow.

Sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, potassium chloride (KCl), sodium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and calcium phosphate ( and other salts of the most common substances in humans to perform various bodily functions. In liquids, inorganic salts are separated from ions (or electrolytes). These ions are needed for a variety of cellular processes. For example, sodium chloride (NaCl) breaks down into sodium and chloride ions. Sodium ions, in particular, are needed for the reduction of neurons and muscle cells, and thus for the transmission of emotions and muscle tone.

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Some Solved Examples

Question 1: Which of the following compounds is organic?

A. $\mathrm{CO}_2$
B. $\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3$
C. $\mathrm{CH}_4$
D. $\mathrm{CaCO}_3$

Solution:
Methane (CH4) contains C–H bonds, the defining feature of organic compounds. CO₂ and carbonates are inorganic.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Question 2: Which of the following is inorganic despite containing carbon?

A. $\mathrm{CH}_3 \mathrm{OH}$
B. CO
C. $\mathrm{C}_6 \mathrm{H}_6$
D. $\mathrm{CH}_3 \mathrm{COOH}$

Solution:
CO (carbon monoxide) is classified as an inorganic compound because it lacks C–H bonds and behaves like an inorganic oxide.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Question 3: Which property is generally shown by organic compounds but not by inorganic compounds?

A. High melting point
B. Poor electrical conductivity
C. Ionic nature
D. High thermal stability

Solution:
Organic compounds are mostly covalent and hence poor conductors of electricity, unlike many inorganic ionic compounds.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Question 4: Which of the following statements is correct?

A. All carbon-containing compounds are organic
B. Organic compounds are mainly ionic
C. Inorganic compounds usually have high melting points
D. Inorganic compounds always contain metals

Solution:
Inorganic compounds are often ionic, giving them high melting points. Carbonates, oxides, etc., are inorganic.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)