The 9 differences between organic and inorganic compounds.

Practical chemistry class: how to distinguish between different compounds.

Chemistry is the scientific discipline that studies the composition of matter and the reactions that cause their interactions. and the reactions that cause their interactions. Although there are many different types of chemistry depending on the object of study of the branch in question, traditionally there has been a distinction between organic and inorganic chemistry.

But what differences are there between types of chemistry? what are the differences not between types of chemistry but directly between the types of compounds they study? In this article we analyze the main differences between organic and inorganic compounds.

• Recommended article: "The 11 types of chemical reactions".

Chemical compounds

Before seeing what are the differences between them, let's briefly define each of the concepts.

First of all, we understand a chemical compound as any material or product resulting from the interaction and combination of two or more elements. There are many different types of chemical compounds that can be classified according to various criteria, such as the elements that make them up or the way in which they are joined. Among them one of the most basic divisions is between organic and inorganic compounds.

Organic compounds are all those compounds that are part of living beings or their remains.They are based on carbon and its combination with other specific elements.

Inorganic compounds are those that are not part of organisms. those that do not form part of living organismsalthough any element of the periodic table can be found in them (including carbon in some cases). In both cases they are compounds present in nature, or synthesizable from nature in the laboratory (especially inorganic compounds).

Differences between organic and inorganic compounds

Organic and inorganic matter have great similarities, but they also have distinctive elements that allow them to be distinguished. Some of the main differences are explained below.

1. Elements that usually make up each type of compound

One of the most marked differences between organic and inorganic compounds, and at the same time the easiest to understand, is the type of elements that are part of them.

In the case of organic compounds, they are mainly based on carbon and its combination with other elements. They are generally made up of carbon and hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and/or phosphorus.

On the other hand, inorganic compounds can be formed by any element of the periodic table, although they will not be based on carbon (although they may contain carbon in some cases, such as carbon monoxide).

2. Type of main bond

As a general rule, it is considered that all or almost all organic compounds are formed by the union of atoms through covalent bonds. In inorganic compounds, on the other hand, ionic or metallic bonds prevail, although other types of bond may also occur.

3. Stability

Another difference between organic and inorganic compounds lies in the stability of the compounds. While inorganic compounds tend to be stable and do not undergo major modifications unless more or less powerful chemical reactions come into play, organic compounds destabilize and decompose very easily.

4. Complexity

While it is possible for inorganic compounds to form complex structures, they generally maintain a simple organization. However, organic compounds tend to form long chains of varying complexity.

5. Heat resistance

Another difference between organic and inorganic compounds is the amount of heat required to produce an alteration such as melting. Organic compounds are easily affected by temperature, requiring relatively low temperatures to melt them. However, inorganic compounds tend to require a very high level of heat to enter the melting process (for example, water does not boil until one hundred degrees Celsius).

6. Solubility

Dissolving an organic compound is usually very difficult unless a specific solvent (such as alcohol) is available, due to its covalent bonds. However, most inorganic compounds are easily soluble, since the ionic bond prevails in them.

7. Electrical conduction

As a general rule, organic compounds tend not to be electrically conductive and to be electrically insulating, while inorganic compounds (especially metals) do so with great ease.

8. Isomerism

Isomerism refers to the ability of compounds to appear with different chemical structures despite sharing the same composition (e.g., a different order in the chain that forms a compound will result in compounds with different characteristics). Although it can occur in both organic and inorganic compounds, it is much more prevalent in the former due to their tendency to create chains of linked atoms.

9. Reaction rate

Chemical reactions in inorganic compounds tend to be fast and do not require the intervention of elements other than the reactants. In contrast, chemical reactions in inorganic compounds have a variable speed and may require the presence of external elements to initiate or continue the reaction, for example in the form of energy.