What is the Difference Between Organic Compound and Inorganic Compound?

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The main difference between organic and inorganic compounds lies in the presence of carbon atoms and the type of bonds they form. Here are the key differences between organic and inorganic compounds:

  1. Carbon atoms: Organic compounds generally contain carbon atoms, with the exception of a few carbon-free compounds derived from living organisms. Inorganic compounds, on the other hand, typically do not contain carbon atoms.
  2. Hydrogen-carbon bonds: Organic compounds usually have hydrogen-carbon bonds (C-H) and hydrocarbon derivatives. Inorganic compounds do not possess hydrogen or oxygen and their derivatives.
  3. Bonding: Organic compounds generally form covalent bonds, while inorganic compounds typically form ionic bonds.
  4. Origin: Organic compounds are derived from or produced by living organisms, while inorganic compounds are derived from nonliving components.

Examples of organic compounds include urea, ATP, ethanol, and cholesterol. Examples of inorganic compounds include ammonia, sodium chloride, potassium bromide, and calcium chloride.

Comparative Table: Organic Compound vs Inorganic Compound

The main difference between organic and inorganic compounds lies in the presence of carbon atoms and the nature of the bonds. Here is a table comparing the differences between organic and inorganic compounds:

Property Organic Compounds Inorganic Compounds
Origin Derived from or produced by living organisms Derived from nonliving components
Carbon Content Contain carbon-hydrogen bonds Lack carbon-hydrogen bonds
Complexity Biological and more complex in nature Mineral and not much complexity in nature
Salts Formation Organic compounds cannot make salts Inorganic compounds can make salts
Reaction Rate The rate of reaction is slow in organic compounds Inorganic compounds have a high rate of reaction

Examples of organic compounds include urea, ATP, ethanol, and cholesterol, while examples of inorganic compounds include ammonia, sodium chloride, potassium bromide, and calcium chloride.