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.