Why is CO2 and CO not considered to be organic compounds?
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Carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) are not considered to be organic compounds because they do not contain hydrogen. Organic compounds are typically defined as compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen, and often also contain oxygen. CO2 and CO only contain carbon and oxygen, so they are classified as inorganic compounds.
In addition, CO2 and CO are very stable molecules. They do not easily react with other substances, which is another characteristic of inorganic compounds. Organic compounds, on the other hand, are typically more reactive and can easily form bonds with other atoms.
The distinction between organic and inorganic compounds is not always clear-cut. There are some compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen but are not considered to be organic, such as carbides and carbonates. These compounds are typically ionic, meaning that they are held together by ionic bonds, rather than covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are the type of bonds that typically form between carbon and hydrogen atoms in organic compounds.
The definition of organic compounds has evolved over time. Early chemists believed that organic compounds could only be created by living organisms, and that they contained a “vital force” that was not present in inorganic compounds. However, in the 19th century, scientists were able to synthesize organic compounds in the laboratory, which disproved the idea of a vital force.
Today, the definition of organic compounds is based on their structure, rather than their origin. Organic compounds are typically defined as compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen, and often also contain oxygen, nitrogen, or other elements. These compounds can be created by living organisms, but they can also be created in the laboratory.