Differences between organic and inorganic compounds

March 12, 2018

S.N	Organic compounds	Inorganic compounds
1.	Carbon containing compounds are called organic compounds.	Compounds of elements other than hydrocarbon are called inorganic compounds
2.	Organic compounds are insoluble in water generally. For example: wax, kerosene, ghee, oil, etc.	Inorganic compounds are soluble in water generally. For example: copper sulphate, sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, etc.
3.	They are soluble in solvent like ether, benzene, etc.	They are insoluble in organic solvents.
4.	Generally, they have low melting and boiling point.	They have a very high boiling and melting point.
5.	They are covalent compounds.	They are usually electrovalent and sometimes covalent as well.
6.	They do not form ions in water except some organic acids which function as weak electrolyte.	Usually, they form ions in water and function as electrolyte.
7.	The composition of these compounds is complex.	The composition of these compounds is simple.
8.	These compounds are more in number.	These compounds are less in number.
9.	They are coloured and with odour.	They are colourless and odourless except some metals and ammonia.
10.	These compounds burn easily.	These compounds do not burn easily.
11.	They usually decompose on heating.	They usually do not decompose on heating.
12.	Slower reaction rate.	Higher reaction rate.
13.	Poorer conductor of heat and electricity.	Good conductor of heat and electricity.
14.	Do not make salts.	Make salts.
15.	Produces more complex sets of products during reaction.	Produces less complex sets of products during reaction.
16.	These are result of activities of living beings.	These are due to natural processes unrelated to any life.
17.	Include nucleic acids, fats, sugar, proteins, enzymes, etc.	Include salts, metals, substance made from single elements and other compounds without the bond of carbon and hydrogen.
18.	Examples: methane, ethane, alcohols, urea, etc. Image source: worldatlas	Examples: carbon dioxide, sulphuric acid, sodium chloride, etc. Image source:technology