74 examples of organic and inorganic compounds

The organic compounds are those compounds of biological origin, that is, they are produced by living beings or come from them, hence their name. They are characterized by having carbon as the base element, to which other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and many others are joined. They are among the most abundant and diverse on planet Earth and some can be artificially synthesized.

The inorganic compounds They are all those compounds that do not have biological origin, that is, they cannot be formed by living beings. They are characterized by being made up of two or more elements, where carbon is not the base element. These compounds are much simpler and less varied than organic compounds.

38 examples of organic compounds

1. Acetic acid H₃CCOOH or ethanoic acid is an organic acid with two carbon atoms, two oxygens and four hydrogens, which is part of the composition of the vinegar that we use in salads.
2. Ethanol C₂H₃OH is part of alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer, as well as being used as a disinfectant.
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3. Acetone or propanone CH₃(CO) CH₃ It is a volatile liquid compound at room temperature that is used to remove chemicals, such as nail polish.
4. Butane C₄H₁₀ It is a combustible gas used for cooking and in water heaters.
5. Saccharose C₁₂H₂₂OR₁₁ it is the sugar we use to sweeten food.
6. Trichloromethane or chloroform CHCl₃ It is a compound where a carbon joins a hydrogen and three chlorines and serves as a solvent for fats.
7. Naphthalene or naphthalene C₁₀H₈ It is an aromatic compound that is used as a repellent for moths.
8. Sodium dodecyl sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate C₁₂H₂₅NaSO₄ It is a synthetic organic compound found in detergents and cleaning products.
9. Methane CH₄ it is the simplest organic compound with a single carbon and four hydrogen atoms. It is listed as a greenhouse gas.
10. Propane C₃H₈ it is a combustible gas used for cooking.
11. Hexane C₆H₁₄ It is a six-carbon chain, used as a solvent in paints and glues.
12. Ethene or ethylene C₂H₄ (H₂C = CH₂) is the simplest alkene between two carbon atoms. It is important for the synthesis of plastics and also as a plant hormone that favors the ripening of fruits.
13. Lycopene C₄₀H₅₆ with eleven double bonds that gives tomato and other red fruits and vegetables their red color.
14. Methanol CH₃OH is the simplest alcohol and is used as a solvent.
15. Iso-Propanol or isopropyl alcohol C₃H₈Or it is an alcohol that is used as a skin disinfectant.
16. Glycerin o Glycerol C₃H₈OR₃ It is a viscous, water-soluble alcohol used as an antifreeze agent.
17. Cholesterol C₂₇H₄₆Or it is a lipid precursor to steroid hormones such as testosterone and progesterone and is part of cell membranes.
18. Citric acid C₆H₈OR₇ It is an organic acid that is part of the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.
19. Glucose C₆H₁₂OR₆ It is the most abundant simple sugar in nature that serves as a source of energy for living beings.
20. Fructose C₆H₁₂OR₆ It is a monosaccharide sugar found in fruits and honey.
21. Uric acid C₅H₄N₄OR₃ It is a heterocyclic organic compound that results from the metabolism of nucleic acids and is expelled in the urine of humans.
22. Formic acid or methanoic acid HCOOH is an organic acid synthesized by most ants as a defense.
23. Linolenic acid C₁₈H₃₂OR₂ It is an essential fatty acid also known as omega-3 that is part of cell membranes.
24. Amino acids are organic compounds containing amine groups (-NH₂) and carboxyl groups (-COOH) and that are part of proteins.
25. Purina C₅H₄N₄ It is a water-soluble heterocyclic organic compound that is the basis for other nitrogenous compounds such as adenine and guanine, which are part of nucleic acids.
26. Pyrimidine C₄H₄N₂ It is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound from which the nitrogenous bases of the nucleic acids cytosine, thymine and uracil are derived.
27. Formaldehyde CH₂O or methanal is an aldehyde commonly used to preserve living tissue.
28. Benzene C₆H₆ It is an aromatic compound that was used as a gasoline additive.
29. Trinitrotoluene or TNT C₇H₅N₃OR₆ it is an explosive material.
30. Ethyl ether or diethyl ether C₄H₁₀Or it is a volatile organic compound that was initially used as an anesthetic.
31. Polyethylene is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer that is formed from ethylene (H₂C = CH₂).
32. Polypropylene is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer that is formed from propylene alkene (H₂C = CH-CH₃).
33. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a plastic polymer formed by C-junctions₂H₃Cl used in furniture, electrical insulation and pipes.
34. Polystyrene It is the material with which the animes are made, composed of unions between phenylethene C₈H₈.
35. Nylon is a family of synthetic polymers based on polyamides that has application in the textile industry.
36. Teflon or polytetrafluoroethylene used as a non-stick coating on cookware.
37. DDT or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane is a banned insecticide in much of the world for its harmful effects on human health.
38. Trichlorofluoromethane CFCl₃ It is part of the chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFCs), previously used as refrigerants and that were banned when their negative impact on the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

You may be interested in knowing the difference between organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry.

36 examples of inorganic compounds

1. Water H₂Or it is one of the most important inorganic compounds for life on planet Earth.
2. Sodium chloride NaCl is the common salt that we use in food preparation.
3. Hydrogen peroxide H₂OR₂ or hydrogen peroxide is used to clean wounds.
4. Sodium bicarbonate NaHCO₃ It is one of the inorganic compounds most used in cooking, in the preparation of cakes and in cleaning.
5. Carbon monoxide CO is a gas composed of a carbon atom and an oxygen atom that is produced in the combustion of organic compounds. Despite having carbon in its composition, CO is an inorganic compound.
6. Carbon dioxide CO₂ It is the gas that is released when we expire in respiration, it is not an organic compound but plants in photosynthesis transform it into sugar, which is an organic compound.
7. Magnesium sulphate MgSO₄ It is a compound found in Epsom salt or Fig salt and is used to treat pre-eclampsia in pregnant women.
8. Zinc oxide ZnO is a water-insoluble compound made up of zinc and oxygen, which is part of cosmetics and sun blockers.
9. Sodium monofluorophosphate Na₂PO₃F is a salt made up of sodium, phosphorous, oxygen, and fluorine that is found in some toothpastes.
10. Aluminum chloride AlCl₃ It is a compound made up of one aluminum atom and three chlorine atoms that is used in the production of aluminum.
11. Hydrochloric acid HCl is a strong and corrosive acid. The cells of the stomach produce it to digest food, mainly proteins.
12. Sulfuric acid H₂SW₄ is another strong inorganic acid made up of sulfur, hydrogen and oxygen that is used in vehicle batteries and in cleaning pipes.
13. Phosphoric acid H₃PO₄ It is a weak acid formed by phosphorus, hydrogen and oxygen that is used in the synthesis of fertilizers and detergents.
14. Nitric acid HNO₃ It is a strong corrosive acid formed by nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen used mainly in the production of fertilizers.
15. Sodium hydroxide NaOH or caustic soda is a strong alkaline base made up of sodium, hydrogen, and oxygen. It has several applications: in the production of soaps, paper and drainage of pipes.
16. Calcium hydroxide Ca (OH)₂ It is a base commonly known as lime that is used in the treatment of corn and other foods.
17. Barium hydroxide Ba (OH)₂ It is a strong base made up of barium, hydrogen and oxygen that is used in chemistry laboratories.
18. Silver nitrate AgNO₃ It is an inorganic salt composed of silver, nitrogen and oxygen that is used in staining in biology as a silver stain. Formerly it was used as an antiseptic.
19. Potassium permanganate KMnO₄ or potassium manganate (VII) is a salt composed of manganese, potassium and oxygen with applications in medicine.
20. Iron (II) sulfate FeSO₄ It is a salt of iron, sulfur and oxygen that is used to supplement food products with iron.
21. Iron sulfide FeS₂ or iron pyrite also known as fool's gold is a mineral formed by iron and sulfur of golden color and used in the manufacture of lithium batteries Energizer.
22. Copper sulphate COURSE₄ It is a salt of copper, sulfur and oxygen used as a fungicide in agriculture.
23. Calcium carbonate Thief₃ It is a salt of calcium, carbon and oxygen used in construction and in the treatment of heartburn.
24. Copper (I) oxide Cu₂O u cuprous oxide of red color formed by copper and oxygen is used for pigmentation and against fungi.
25. Nitrous oxide N₂O or laughing gas is a gas made up of nitrogen and oxygen with an anesthetic effect.
26. Sulfur dioxide SW₂ it is a toxic gas that is released naturally in volcanic eruptions.
27. Silicon oxide or silica SiO₂ that makes up the sand and from which the glass is produced.
28. Aluminosilicates To the₂Yes₅ that are part of the zeolites, Andalusites that are used in detergents, medicine and agriculture.
29. Aluminosilicates calcium CaAl₂Yes₂OR₈ used as a food additive like E556.
30. Sodium azide NaN₃ It is a toxic ionic compound formed by nitrogen and sodium and used as a preservative in biochemical laboratories.
31. Sodium cyanide NaCN is a respiratory poison made up of sodium, carbon and nitrogen
32. Calcium phosphate AC₃(PO₄)₂ it is part of the bones.
33. Hydrogen sulfide H₂S is a compound used by certain organisms in the chemosynthesis process, and it is what gives it the characteristic rotten egg odor of flatulence and swamps.
34. Prussian blue Faith₄(Fe (CN)₆)₃) is an inorganic compound made up of iron, carbon and nitrogen that is used as a blue pigment in prints.
35. Cisplatin PtCl₂(NH₃)₂ is an anticancer drug made up of platinum, chlorine, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
36. Berzelianite Cu₂It is a mineral of selenium and copper.

You may be interested in seeing the difference between:

• Organic and inorganic compounds.
• Elements, compounds and mixtures.

Doctor in Biochemistry from the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC), with a degree in Bioanalysis from the Central University of Venezuela.