Distinguishing Between Organic And Inorganic Compounds

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Distinguish between organic and inorganic compounds

  • Organic compounds are those compounds containing carbon except carbides, carbonates, cyanides, and simple oxides of carbon (e.g. CO and CO2). Other elements (N, O, S, P and halogens) may also be present. These are:
    • Hydrocarbons (contain only C and H atoms)
      • alkane
      • alkene
      • alkyne
      • aromatic hydrocarbon
    • Hydrocarbons with heteroatoms (also contain N, O, S, P and halogens)
      • haloalkane
      • alcohol
      • phenol
      • ketone
      • aldehyde
      • carboxylic acid
      • ester
      • ether and epoxide
      • amide
      • amine
      • nitrile
      • thiol
      • sulfide
  • Inorganic compounds are those compounds that are not considered organic. Generally, these compounds lack carbon. These are:
    • Inorganic compounds with C atom
      • carbide
      • carbonate
      • cyanide
      • carbon oxide
    • Inorganic compounds without C atom
      • H2O
      • HCl
      • FeCl3
      • CaSO4
      • PH3
  • All organic compounds contain carbon but not all carbon containing compounds are organic.