Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Compounds

Everything around us, from the food we eat and the clothes we wear to rocks and metals, is made up of chemical compounds. These compounds are broadly classified into organic compounds and inorganic compounds. 

This article provides the detailed difference between organic and inorganic compounds, their characteristics, and examples.

Table of Contents 

• What are Compounds
• What are Organic and Inorganic Compounds
• Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Compounds
• Frequently Asked Questions on Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Compounds

What are Compounds

A compound is a pure substance formed when two or more elements chemically combine in a fixed ratio. The properties of a compound are completely different from the properties of the individual elements that make it.

For example:

• Water (H₂O) is formed by the combination of hydrogen and oxygen.
• Sodium chloride (NaCl) is formed by sodium and chlorine.

Compounds are mainly classified into two categories:

• Organic compounds
• Inorganic compounds

Read More: Difference between Compounds and Mixtures

What are Organic and Inorganic Compounds

Organic compounds are a large group of compounds that contain carbon atoms and usually possess carbon-hydrogen bonds and the study is called organic chemistry. These compounds form the basis of life and are found in plants, animals, fuels, medicines and food.

Characteristics of Organic Compounds

• Contain carbon and hydrogen.
• Mostly form covalent bonds.
• Usually have low melting and boiling points.
• Generally insoluble in water.
• Often combustible in nature.
• Poor conductors of electricity.

Examples of Organic Compounds: Carbohydrates,Proteins,Enzymes,Fats and oils, Ethanol,Methane and Petrol and diesel.

On the other hand, Inorganic compounds are substances that generally do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. They are commonly found in minerals, rocks salts.

Characteristics of Inorganic Compounds

• Usually lack C-H bonds.
• Often form ionic bonds.
• Usually have high melting and boiling points.
• Many are soluble in water.
• Good conductors of electricity in aqueous solutions.
• Usually non-combustible.

Examples of Inorganic Compounds: Sodium chloride, Calcium oxide,Sulphuric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Carbon dioxide and Metals and non-metals.

Also Read: Inorganic Chemistry 

Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Compounds

S.No.	Organic Compounds	Inorganic Compounds
1	Contain carbon and usually C-H bonds	Usually do not contain C-H bonds
2	Mostly obtained from living organisms	Mostly obtained from minerals and non-living sources
3	Generally covalent in nature	Mostly ionic in nature
4	Usually combustible and inflammable	Generally non-combustible
5	Mostly insoluble in water	Many are soluble in water
6	Poor conductors of electricity	Good conductors of electricity in aqueous solutions
7	Have lower melting and boiling points	Have higher melting and boiling points
8	Reactions are generally slow	Reactions are generally fast
9	More complex structures	Comparatively simpler structures
10	Exist as solids, liquids gases	Mostly exist as solids
11	Examples include proteins, sugars, fats fuels	Examples include salts, acids, bases metals
12	Usually volatile	Usually non-volatile
13	Cannot readily form salts	Can form salts easily

We have learned that Organic and inorganic compounds are two important groups in chemistry that differ in their composition, properties and uses. Organic compounds usually contain carbon-hydrogen bonds and form the basis of living organisms, whereas inorganic compounds generally do not contain these bonds and are widely used in industries, construction and everyday products.