Torio, Joneil O.

BSMLS 2

Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Chemistry

In organic chemistry, scientific study is concentrated towards carbon compounds and other carbon-based
compounds such as hydrocarbons and their derivatives. On the other hand, Inorganic chemistry is preoccupied
with other elements on the periodic table. In other words, the type of substance, whether organic or inorganic is
what matters the most. The study of organic compounds is termed as organic chemistry and the study of inorganic
compounds is inorganic chemistry. The primary difference that lies between these organic compounds and
inorganic compounds is that organic compounds always have a carbon atom while most of the inorganic
compounds do not contain the carbon atom in them. The most common fact that differentiates organic
compounds from inorganic compounds is that the organic compounds mainly result from activities of a living being.
Whereas, inorganic compounds are obtained from the natural processes which are not related to any of the life
forms on earth or any result of human experiments which are conducted in laboratories.

Examples of the difference between organic and inorganic chemistry/ compounds:

Organic Compounds Inorganic Compounds

1. Organic compounds are characterized by Most inorganic compounds do not have carbon
the presence of carbon atoms in them atoms in them (some exceptions do exist)

2. Organic compounds consisting of They do not possess hydrogen or oxygen and their
hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and their other derivatives
derivatives

3. Organic compounds are said to be more These compounds are not inflammable and are
volatile and also highly inflammable non-volatile in nature

4. These compounds exist in the form of solids, These exist as solids

gases, and liquids.

5. These are insoluble in water These are soluble in water and also non-soluble in
some of the organic solutions

6. These compounds have the carbon- These do not have the carbon-hydrogen bonds
hydrogen bonds

7. Organic compounds are mainly found in These compounds are found in non-living things
most of the living things

8. Organic compounds form covalent bonds Inorganic compounds form ionic bonds between
the atoms of molecules

9. In most of the aqueous solutions, these are In aqueous solutions, these are known to be good
poor conductors of heat and electricity conductors of heat and electricity

10. Examples of organic compounds include The example for inorganic compounds includes
fats, nucleic acids, sugars, enzymes, non-metals, salts, metals, acids, bases, substances
proteins and hydrocarbon fuels which are made from single elements

11. These have relatively low melting points These have low melting and boiling points
and boiling points. compared to organic compounds

12 These are biological and more complex in These are of mineral and not much complexity in
nature nature

13 Organic compounds cannot make salts Inorganic compounds can make salts

14 The rate of reaction is slow in organic Inorganic compounds have a high rate of reaction
compounds

References:
Byju’s (n.d.). Difference Between Organic and Inorganic Compounds. Retrieved from: https://byjus.com/chemistry/difference-between-
organic-and-inorganic-compounds/

Emily (n.d.) Organic vs Inorganic Chemistry: Differences and Difficulty. Retrieved from: https://campusleaders.org/organic-vs-inorganic-
chemistry/#:~:text=The%20major%20difference%20between%20organic%20and%20inorganic%20chemistry,with%20other%20elements%20on%2
0the%20periodic%20table%20%28source%29.

Helmenstine, Anne Marie (2020, January 10). The Difference Between Organic and Inorganic. Retrieved from:
https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-organic-and-inorganic-603912