Question

Identify the following as formulas of organic or inorganic compounds: a. ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_{12}{\mathrm{O}}_6$ b. ${\mathrm{K}}_3{\mathrm{PO}}_4$ c. ${\mathrm{I}}_2$ d. ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6\mathrm{S}$ e. ${\mathrm{C}}_{10}{\mathrm{H}}_{22}$ f. ${\mathrm{CH}}_4$

Short answer

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

Step-by-step solution

- Identify organic compounds

Organic compounds primarily contain carbon and hydrogen atoms. Look for molecules having carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds.

- Identify inorganic compounds

Inorganic compounds usually do not have carbon-hydrogen bonds or, if they have carbon, it is part of a carbonate, cyanide, or simple oxides of carbon.

- Analyze each compound

Let's identify each given compound one by one:- ${\text{a. C}}_6{\text{H}}_{12}{\text{O}}_6$: This compound has carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms. It is an organic compound (Glucose).- ${\text{b. K}}_3{\text{PO}}_4$: This compound has potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and oxygen (O). It lacks carbon-hydrogen bonds, making it inorganic (Potassium phosphate).- ${\text{c. I}}_2$: This is a diatomic molecule of iodine. It is an inorganic element.- ${\text{d. C}}_2{\text{H}}_6\text{~S}$: Contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and sulfur (S) atoms. It is an organic compound (Ethanethiol).- ${\text{e. C}}_{10}{\text{H}}_{22}$: This compound consists of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). It is an organic compound (Decane).- ${\text{f. CH}}_4$: Contains carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). It is an organic compound (Methane).

Key concepts

organic chemistry

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties. The characteristic feature of organic compounds is the presence of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. These compounds might also include other elements, like oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.

Common examples of organic compounds include:

• Alkanes: Saturated hydrocarbons (e.g., methane, ${\text{CH}}_4$)
• Alcohols: Compounds with an -OH group (e.g., ethanol, ${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5\text{OH}$)
• Carbohydrates: Compounds like glucose (${\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_{12}{\text{O}}_6$) that contain a carbon skeleton bonded to hydrogen and oxygen.

Organic compounds are the building blocks of life. They form the core components of biological molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and lipids.

compound identification

Identifying whether a compound is organic or inorganic requires us to look at its chemical structure and composition. Here are some steps to identify the type of compound:

1. **Analyze the elements present:** Check if carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms are present together in a significant manner. If yes, the compound could be organic.
2. **Check for C-H bonds:** The presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds is a hallmark of organic compounds.
3. **Look for functional groups:** Organic compounds often have specific groups attached to the carbon chain, such as -OH, -COOH, or -NH2.

Applying these guidelines to examples:
- **Glucose** (${\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_{12}{\text{O}}_6$): Organic. Contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with C-H bonds.
- **Potassium phosphate** (${\text{K}}_3{\text{PO}}_4$): Inorganic. Contains potassium, phosphorus, and oxygen without any C-H bonds.
- **Methane** (${\text{CH}}_4$): Organic. Simple structure with one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

inorganic chemistry

Inorganic chemistry focuses on compounds that are not primarily based on carbon-hydrogen bonds. These can include elements and compounds such as metals, salts, minerals, and coordination complexes.

Key characteristics of inorganic compounds:

• Usually don't have C-H bonds, except for some exceptions like carbonates or cyanides.
• Often form ionic bonds rather than covalent bonds.
• Include simple molecules and elements like ${\text{I}}_2$ (iodine) or complex substances like ${\text{K}}_3{\text{PO}}_4$ (potassium phosphate).

Examples of inorganic compounds:
- **Sodium chloride** ($\text{NaCl}$): Common table salt, consists of sodium and chloride ions.
- **Carbon dioxide** (${\text{CO}}_2$): Although it contains carbon, it is an inorganic molecule without C-H bonds.
Understanding the fundamental differences between organic and inorganic compounds helps in fields like biochemistry, pharmacology, and materials science.