Select the correct answer.

Which compound is inorganic?

A. [tex]C_6H_{12}O_6[/tex]
B. [tex]KH_2PO_4[/tex]
C. [tex]CH_3COOH[/tex]
D. [tex]C_2H_6[/tex]
E. [tex]C_2H_5OH[/tex]



Answer :

To determine which compound is inorganic, we need to recall the basic definitions:

Organic compounds primarily consist of carbon atoms bonded typically to hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur. These compounds often contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.

Inorganic compounds are defined as substances that do not contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. They might still contain carbon but lack the C-H bond which is a characteristic feature of organic chemistry.

Let's analyze the given options:

A. [tex]$C _6 H _{12} O _6$[/tex] (Glucose)
- This contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms.
- It has several carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.
- Therefore, glucose is an organic compound.

B. [tex]$KH _2 PO _4$[/tex] (Monopotassium phosphate)
- It contains potassium (K), hydrogen (H), phosphorus (P), and oxygen (O) atoms.
- There are no carbon atoms present and thus no carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.
- Therefore, monopotassium phosphate is an inorganic compound.

C. [tex]$CH _3 COOH$[/tex] (Acetic acid)
- It contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms.
- It has carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.
- Therefore, acetic acid is an organic compound.

D. [tex]$C _2 H _6$[/tex] (Ethane)
- It contains carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms.
- It has carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.
- Therefore, ethane is an organic compound.

E. [tex]$C _2 H _5 OH$[/tex] (Ethanol)
- It contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms.
- It has carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.
- Therefore, ethanol is an organic compound.

Given these analyses, the inorganic compound among the options is:

B. [tex]$KH _2 PO _4$[/tex]

Therefore, the correct answer is B: [tex]$KH _2 PO _4$[/tex].