What is the difference between organic and inorganic compounds?


organic
Sarah L Lawliet asked:


My book says that organic compounds contain carbon, and all others are classified as inorganic, but then it says that carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbon disulphide, compounds in the cyanide group, and carbonate, and bicarbonate are inorganic, don’t these compounds have carbon? Why are they considered inorganic?! I’m so confused. Please help me out.
Thank you :)

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3 Responses to “What is the difference between organic and inorganic compounds?”

  1. Angela Says:
    March 12th, 2010 at 3:08 am

    Really organic compounds contain both C and H (hydrocarbons) or C, H and O (proteins, sugars, amino acids, fats etc)
    Everything else is inorganic. Angela

  2. Fruity Pebbles Says:
    March 14th, 2010 at 10:48 am

    organic molecules contain only carbon and hydrogen.
    inorganic molecules can contain carbon, hydrogen or any other element! Fruity Pebbles

  3. Chris K Says:
    March 16th, 2010 at 7:18 am

    Organic materials are substances that can be found in nature and that contains carbon with hydrogen, organic can also be living things such as a carrot or you and me.

    Inorganic is substances containing no hydrogen with carbon such as sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid or substances lacking organic properties like a rock.

    So why does your textbook say that?
    because carbon dioxide has only one carbon atom and two oxygen and carbon monoxide is the same thing but with only one oxygen, there is no hydrogen in those molecules. Carbon disulphide contains one carbon atom and two sulphur atoms but no hydrogen atoms so it is also inorganic. Chris K

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