Question

Identify the following as formulas of organic or inorganic compounds: a. \(\mathrm{KCl}\) b. \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{10}\) c. \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}\) d. \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) e. \(\mathrm{CaCl}_{2}\) f. \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{7} \mathrm{Cl}\)

Short answer

a. Inorganic, b. Organic, c. Organic, d. Inorganic, e. Inorganic, f. Organic

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Organic vs. Inorganic Compounds

Organic compounds primarily contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen, often with other elements such as oxygen or nitrogen. Inorganic compounds generally do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.

Identify Organic Compound \(\text{a.}\) KCl

Potassium chloride (KCl) does not contain carbon, indicating it is an inorganic compound.

Identify Organic Compound \(\text{b.}\) \(\text{C}_{4} \text{H}_{10}\)

Butane (C4H10) contains carbon and hydrogen atoms, indicating it is an organic compound.

Identify Organic Compound \(\text{c.}\) \(\text{C}_{2} \text{H}_{6} \text{O}\)

Ethanol (C2H6O) has a carbon-hydrogen structure, indicating it is an organic compound.

Identify Inorganic Compound \(\text{d.}\) \(\text{H}_{2} \text{SO}_{4}\)

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) does not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, indicating it is an inorganic compound.

Identify Inorganic Compound \(\text{e.}\) \(\text{CaCl}_{2}\)

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) does not contain carbon, indicating it is an inorganic compound.

Identify Organic Compound \(\text{f.}\) \(\text{C}_{3} \text{H}_{7} \text{Cl}\)

Propyl chloride (C3H7Cl) contains carbon and hydrogen atoms, indicating it is an organic compound.

Key concepts

Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are primarily made up of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. These compounds often also contain other elements like oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. The backbone of organic chemistry is the carbon-hydrogen bond, which is ubiquitous in organic compounds.

Examples of organic compounds include:

• Butane \(\text{C}_{4} \text{H}_{10}\)
• Ethanol \(\text{C}_{2} \text{H}_{6} \text{O}\)
• Propyl chloride \(\text{C}_{3} \text{H}_{7} \text{Cl}\)

Organic chemistry is central to understanding various biochemical processes, pharmaceuticals, and many other fields. Recognizing these compounds is crucial for studying any chemistry-related topic, especially those involving living organisms.

Inorganic Compounds

Inorganic compounds do not generally contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. They encompass a wide range of substances which include metals, salts, and minerals.

Common inorganic compounds include:

• Potassium chloride \(\text{KCl}\)
• Sulfuric acid \(\text{H}_{2} \text{SO}_{4}\)
• Calcium chloride \(\text{CaCl}_2\)

These compounds are fundamental in a variety of fields, ranging from geology to materials science. They are essential for many industrial applications and natural processes.

The primary distinction from organic compounds lies in the absence of carbon-hydrogen bonds and their varied chemical composition and properties.

Chemical Formulas

Chemical formulas provide a shorthand way of representing the elements in a compound and the ratios in which they combine. Understanding and interpreting these formulas is fundamental in chemistry.

Key points about chemical formulas:

• They indicate the types of atoms present. For example, in \(\text{KCl}\), K stands for potassium and Cl for chlorine.
• They show the number of each atom. For instance, \(\text{C}_{4} \text{H}_{10}\) has 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms.
• Subscripts are used to denote the quantity of atoms. For example, \(\text{H}_{2} \text{SO}_{4}\) indicates 2 hydrogen atoms, 1 sulfur atom, and 4 oxygen atoms.

Chemical formulas are invaluable for understanding the composition and structure of compounds. They lay the groundwork for more advanced studies in reaction mechanisms, stoichiometry, and molecular chemistry.