Organic vs Inorganic Compounds

Organic and Inorganic Compounds

• Organic compounds are characterized by the presence of carbon atoms.
• Inorganic compounds lack carbon atoms (some exceptions).
• Organic compounds often contain hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon, along with other derivatives.
• Inorganic compounds do not typically contain hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon and their derivatives.
• Organic compounds are often volatile and highly flammable.
• Organic compounds exist as solids, liquids, and gases.
• Organic compounds are largely insoluble in water.
• Organic compounds are predominantly found in living organisms.
• Organic compounds primarily consist of covalent bonds.
• Examples of organic compounds include fats, nucleic acids, sugars, and enzymes.
• Inorganic compounds are generally non-volatile and non-flammable.
• Inorganic compounds commonly exist as solids.
• Inorganic compounds are often soluble in water and insoluble in some organic solutions.
• Inorganic compounds in aqueous solutions are often good conductors of heat and electricity.
• Inorganic compounds commonly consist of ionic bonds.
• Examples of inorganic compounds include non-metals, salts, acids, and bases.

Hydrocarbons

• A hydrocarbon is an organic compound composed solely of carbon and hydrogen.
• Alkanes: Saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds, general formula CnH2n+2
• Alkenes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one double bond, general formula CnH2n
• Alcohols: Hydrocarbons with a hydroxyl (-OH) group, general formula CnH2n+1OH

Petroleum

• Petroleum, often called "Black Gold," is a crucial source of energy and various products.
• Formation: Petroleum forms from the remains of dead plants and animals over millions of years, buried under layers of sediment.
• Refining: Crude oil (petroleum) is refined to separate into various useful products through a process called fractional distillation.
• Fractions (examples) include petroleum gas, petrol, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, lubricating oil, paraffin wax, and bitumen.
• Uses: Petroleum and its fractions are used for fuels, lubricants, solvents, production of polymers, disinfectants, and other chemical processes.

Fracking

• Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a method to extract oil and natural gas from deep underground rock formations.
• Process: High-pressure fluids are injected into the rock to create fractures, allowing trapped oil and gas to flow.
• Advantages: Increased access to resources, potentially reduces reliance on other fuels, and increase employment opportunities.
• Disadvantages: Groundwater contamination, potential for earthquakes, and high water consumption.

Electrolysis

• Electrolysis is a chemical process using electricity to split ionic compounds into their constituent ions.
• An electrode is a metal or graphite rod used to conduct electric current into or out of an electrolyte.