Inorganic Compounds: Definition, History, and Types

What is an Inorganic Compound?

Inorganic compounds are substances formed by various chemical elements. Unlike organic compounds, the main component in inorganic compounds is not always carbon. Water is the most abundant inorganic compound. Almost all known elements can be involved in the formation of inorganic compounds.

History of Inorganic Chemistry

• The beginnings of inorganic chemistry trace back to the history of civilized man. Since the early metal ages, people have been devoted to understanding the minerals in deposits and how they react under certain conditions.
• Later, during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, significant knowledge was gained through the pursuit of a reaction that could lead to gold from other metals. This practice was known as alchemy.
• Given the large number of inorganic chemical compounds capable of forming between the various elements of the periodic table, inorganic chemistry is a very broad sub-field within general chemistry.

Classification of Inorganic Compounds

Inorganic chemicals are classified into groups with similar characteristics and behavior based on the elements they are composed of. These groups, also called functional groups, are structured as follows:

• Oxides
• Hydroxides
• Acids
• Salts
• Hydrides