Chemistry
State five differences between the characteristics of organic and inorganic compounds. State how organic compounds are classified.
Answer
Five differences between the characteristics of organic and inorganic compounds:
| Characteristic | Organic Compound | Inorganic Compound |
|---|---|---|
| Presence of carbon | Carbon is a necessary element in every organic compound. | Carbon is not an essential element in inorganic compounds. |
| Solubility in water | They generally do not dissolve in water. | They generally dissolve in water. |
| Solubility in organic solvents | They dissolve in organic solvents like alcohol, benzene and chloroform. | All inorganic compounds do not dissolve in organic solvents. |
| Melting and boiling point | They have low m.p. and b.p. and easily decompose on heating. | They have high m.p. and b.p. and usually do not decompose on heating. |
| Bonding | They form covalent bonds. | Most of them form ionic bonds. |
Classification of organic compounds:
| Aliphatic : Open chain compounds | Cyclic : Closed chain compounds |
|---|---|
| Hydrocarbons [compounds containing C & H only] | Homocyclic - [only C atoms] e.g., Aromatic compounds: Benzene |
| (a) Saturated - Alkanes e.g., Ethane | Heterocyclic [C,O,N,S atoms] e.g., Aromatic compounds - Pyridine |
| (b) Unsaturated - Alkenes e.g., Ethene, Alkynes e.g., Ethyne |
Related Questions
State reasons for 'Justification of a separate branch' for 'Organic Chemistry'.
Differentiate between — 'Molecular formula' and 'Structural formula' — of an organic compound. Write the 'condensed structural formula' and 'branched structural formula' of ethene.
Explain the 'unique nature of carbon atom' with reference to —
(a) 'Tetravalency' — of carbon
(b) 'Catenation' — leading to formation of single, double and triple bonds and straight chain, branched chain and cyclic compounds.Explain the term 'Homologous series'. State the general characteristics of members of the series with special reference to molecular mass or molecular formula.