How do you tell the difference between Organic* and Inorganic Compounds? Assembled By T. Brown 2012 * For purposes of this discussion we are using the term “organic” as the formal chemistry meaning used to divide chemistry into two fields of living and non-living. We are not (for purposes of this discussion) using the “grocery store” definition of “organic foods” grown naturally without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, etc... By T. Brown 2012

How do you tell the difference between Organic and Inorganic Compounds? GENERAL RULES: Sometimes Contain Carbon Many do not include CARBON. Not associated with Living Organisms. EXAMPLES Oxygen O2 Table salt or Sodium Chloride, NaCl Carbon Dioxide, CO2 *Even though it contains Carbon. Diamond (pure carbon) EXEPTIONS TO THE RULE & CONFUSING BITS: “For historical reasons, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon (such as CO and CO2), and cyanides, as well as the allotropes of carbon such as diamond and graphite, are considered inorganic. The distinction between "organic" and "inorganic" carbon compounds, while "useful in organizing the vast subject of chemistry... is somewhat arbitrary”. 1 ORGANIC GENERAL RULES: ALWAYS Contain Carbon MOST contain Carbon – Hydrogen Bonds Most always associated with living organisms. EXAMPLES: Glucose C6H12O6 Carbon Tetrachloride CCl4 *Notice this is classified as organic, without C-H bonds. Urea CO(NH2)2 EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE & CONFUSING BITS: So if it contains carbon, it may be classified as organic, but a few of things like CO2 that are essential to life processes and contain carbon are not classified as organic because “that’s the way we’ve always done it.” (sigh) We do however include deadly poisons and other synthetic chemicals which are never found in nature. (This is ironic considering the other “grocery store” definition of organic.) References Drawn Upon… http://chemistry.about.com/od/branchesofchemistry/f/What-Is-The-Difference-Between-Organic-And-Inorganic.htm 1 Spencer L. Seager, Michael R. Slabaugh. Chemistry for Today: general, organic, and biochemistry. Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004, p. 342. Assembled By T. Brown 2012