“Stuffing” vs. “Dressing”: Do You Know The Difference? Updates? A chemical compound refers to any substance made up of two or more elements that are chemically bonded together. “Epidemic” vs. “Pandemic” vs. “Endemic”: What Do These Terms Mean? Compounds of carbon are classified as organic when carbon is bound to hydrogen. ( in'ōr-gan'ik kom'pownd) A compound in which the atoms or radicals consist of elements other than carbon and are typically held together by electrostatic forces rather than by covalent bonds; often are capable of dissociation into ions in polar solvents (e.g., H 2O). In the absence of vitalism, the distinction between inorganic and organic chemistry is merely semantic. Inorganic compounds comprise most of the Earth's crust, although the compositions of the deep mantle remain active areas of investigation.[4]. Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Why Do “Left” And “Right” Mean Liberal And Conservative? Inorganic compound, any substance in which two or more chemical elements (usually other than carbon) are combined, nearly always in definite proportions. Why Are A, E, I, O, U, And Y Called “Vowels”? [5][6][7] In Wöhler’s era, there was widespread belief that organic compounds were characterized by a vital spirit. To cook in water, just below boiling temperature. Omissions? They include substances made from single elements, salts, metals, and any other compound that do not contain carbon bonded to hydrogen. Note that containing carbon is not sufficient for a compound to be considered organic. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/science/inorganic-compound, Chemistry LibreTexts - Names and Formulas of Inorganic Compounds. Conversely, an inorganic compoundwould be one that does not contain … A compound that does not contain hydrocarbon groups. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Because of this multivalency, the interlayer space is only partially occupied by such inorganic cations that are distributed in the space like islands. Inorganic compound, any substance in which two or more chemical elements (usually other than carbon) are combined, nearly always in definite proportions. Look it up now! Compounds of carbon are classified as organic when carbon is bound to hydrogen. Premium Membership is now 50% off! An element, in turn, refers to that comprised of only one type of atom. An inorganic compound is any compound that lacks a carbon atom, for lack of a more in-depth definition. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Some major textbooks on inorganic chemistry decline to define inorganic compounds: Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. Dan Berger, Bluffton College, analysis of varying inappropriate definitions of the inorganic-organic distinction: Otherwise consistent linked material differing from current article in downplaying the carbon present vs carbon absent distinctive: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Inorganic_compound&oldid=988660410, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 14 November 2020, at 14:26. Friedrich Wöhler's conversion of ammonium cyanate into urea in 1828 is often cited as the starting point of modern organic chemistry. However, the distinction is not clearly defined and agreed upon, and authorities have differing views on the subject. Many of these are normal parts of mostly organic systems, including organisms; describing a chemical as inorganic does not necessarily mean that it does not occur within living things. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Which Came First: Turkey The Bird, Or Turkey The Nation? What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”? Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. An inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds, that is, a compound that is not an organic compound. This type of structure departs strongly from that expected for ionic bonding and shows the importance of covalence. Moreover, inorganic compounds tend to be minerals or geologically-based compounds t… The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Compounds can be divided into two categories, organic and inorganic. Hydroxy polymers…. Also, nearly all organic compounds contain carbon-hydrogen or C-H bonds. An inorganic compoundcan be considered as a compound that does not contain a carbon-to-hydrogen bond, also called a C-H bond. Compare: organic compound. pound. In the absence of vitalism, the distinction between inorganic and organic chemistry is merely semantic. Friedrich Wöhler's conversion of ammonium cyanate into urea in 1828 is often cited as the starting point of modern organic chemistry. Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz. There is also some direct nickel-nickel bonding that tends to draw the nickel atoms together. While the last three often appear in chemical forms that are quite harmless, it is the soluble salts of the substances that are poisons.…, Smectite, vermiculite, and other expansible clay minerals can accommodate relatively large, inorganic cations between the layers. To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil. Inorganic compounds are compounds which do not contain carbon and are not derived from living matter. Simply put, an inorganic compound is the opposite of an organic compound. Describe 2020 In Just One Word? The crystal structure of the inorganic compound nickel arsenide. The primary difference between organic vs. inorganic compounds is that organic compounds always contain carbon while most inorganic compounds do not contain carbon. Examples include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonates, carbides, cyanides, cyanates, and thiocyanates. In Wöhler’s era, there was widespread belief that organic compounds were characterized by a vital spirit. [1][2][3] The study of inorganic compounds is known as inorganic chemistry. Inorganic compound definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Elements that are held together by a chemical bond form a compound. See chemical compound: Inorganic compounds. Generally, inorganic compounds are derived from geological systems, such as sediments and ores. Carbon compounds such as carbides (e.g., silicon carbide [SiC2]), some carbonates (e.g., calcium carbonate [CaCO3]), some cyanides (e.g., sodium cyanide [NaCN]), graphite, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide are classified as inorganic. Those compounds with a carbon atom are called organic compounds, due to their root base in an atom that is vital for life. One of the ways to classify compounds is by identifying them as either organic or inorganic. Corrections? We Asked, You Answered. Black Friday Sale! In general, an organic compound is a type of compound that contains the carbon atom. The Inorganic Crystal Structure Database (ICSD), in its definition of inorganic carbon compounds states that such compounds should contain either carbon-hydrogen (C-H) or carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds, but not both. “Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time. The inorganic chemicals most commonly responsible for poisonings in the United States are cyanide, mercury, arsenic, and lead. Some simple compounds that contain carbon are often considered inorganic. In order to better understand how inorganic compounds are defined, it helps to know what makes other compounds organic in the first place.