Carbon dioxide contains carbon, yet it is considered to be inorganic. Why?

Answer 1

Oxygen, the O in CO2 is not Hydrogen.

Organic chemistry is a specific discipline within chemistry which involves the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation (by synthesis or by other means) of chemical compounds consisting primarily of carbon and ***hydrogen***, which may contain any number of other elements, including nitrogen, oxygen, halogens as well as phosphorus, silicon and sulfur

Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and behavior of inorganic compounds. This field covers ***all*** chemical compounds ***except the myriad organic compounds (compounds containing C-H bonds)***, which are the subjects of organic chemistry. The distinction between the two disciplines is far from absolute, and there is much overlap, most importantly in the sub-discipline of organometallic chemistry.

Answer 2

Anything which contains carbon is not organic. The bond of the elements with carbon decides whether it shall be treated as organic or inorganic. Noemally there are two subdivisions of carbon chemistry-alliphatic(valency bond) or aromatic(hexagonal ring structure benzine based).

Answer 3

Not all carbon-bearing compounds are considered organic, although the distinction is merely a holdover from history. Originally, "organic" meant any compound produced by a living organism. Therefore, carbonates and their ilk weren't considered organic. When "organic" was redefined to refer to compounds made of carbon, these molecules still weren't included. I remember it this way...an organic molecule has carbon atoms covalently bound to hydrogen and/or to other carbon atoms. Therefore, CO2 isn't organic, but CH4 is. I hope that helps!

Answer 4

Its because organic compounds are generally hydrocarbons i.e it must contain hydrogen along with carbon, moreover co2 is not an organic comp. because it doesnoty show much resemblence to organic comp. either because it cant undergo isomerization( ofcourse resonance structures are produced but they are not isomers!)


i told u as much as i know...

Answer 5

Any carbon, be it organic or inorganic, will burn.
Nowadays, these distinctions are pretty thin.

Answer 6

when you mix different elements, you get a compound. it really changes the properties of the final substance-
we all know hydrogen is flammable, and oxygen helps fire burn, but when you mix hydrogen and oxygen, you get water, which will extinguish a fire.

here is more info

http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch2/mix.html