ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

COURSE NOTE

Unit 1. Introduction and the Nature of Organic Chemistry

CHAPTER 2

INORGANIC AND ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Properties and features of Organic Compounds

Take caution that not all carbon-containing compounds are organic compounds. Examples
of these inorganic compounds containing carbon are carbonic acid (H2CO3), carbon monoxide
(CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and ions like cyanide (CN-), cyanate (CNO-) and carbonate (CO32-).

Table 1. General Contrasting Properties of Organic and Inorganic Compounds

Organic Inorganic
low melting points high melting points
(e.g. hexane: -95oC) (e.g. NaCl: 801°C)
low boiling points high boiling points
(e.g. hexane: 69°C) (e.g. NaCl: 1,413°C)
low solubility in water; high solubility in greater solubility in water; low solubility in
nonpolar solvents like gasoline nonpolar solvents like gasoline
Flammable nonflammable
aqueous solutions do not conduct electricity aqueous solutions conduct electricity
exhibit covalent bonding exhibit ionic bonding
do not conduct current conduct electric current

What are the common features of Organic Compounds?

1. All organic compounds contain carbon atoms and most contain hydrogen atoms.

2. Some compounds have chains of atoms and some compounds have rings.

3. Organic compounds may also contain elements other than carbon and hydrogen (i.e. oxygen,
nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus).

What organic compounds and inorganic compounds do you know?

You can read further on this site:

https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-organic-and-inorganic-603912

Which molecular formulas represent organic compounds and which represent inorganic compounds?

a. C6H12 b. KI c. CH4O d. H2O e. MgSO4 f. NaOH

1. Classify each compound as organic or inorganic.

a. C3H8O

b. CaCl2

c. Cr(NH3)3Cl3

d. C30H48O3N

2. Which compound is likely organic and which is likely inorganic?

a. a flammable compound that boils at 80°C and is insoluble in water

b. a compound that does not burn, melts at 630°C, and is soluble in water

1. Classify each compound as organic or inorganic.

a. C6H10

b. CoCl2

c. C12H22O11

2. Classify each compound as organic or inorganic.

a. CH3NH2

b. NaNH2
c. Cu(NH3)6Cl2

3. Which member of each pair has a higher melting point?

a. CH3OH and NaOH

b. CH3Cl and KCl

4. Which member of each pair has a higher melting point?

a. C2H6 and CoCl2

b. CH4 and LiH