Inorganic chemistry is one of the branches of chemistry that deals with inorganic substances.
These substances can be both metallic and non-metallic.
They are exclusively called inorganic because they are devoid of carbon.
Chemically they are formed by ionic or covalent bonds.
Most of them are solids and crystalline in nature.
Inorganic Chemistry Definition
“It is the subject dealing with the synthesis, properties, reactions, and the uses of compounds devoid of carbon.”
Some Experts add to the exception that compounds which do not contain carbon-hydrogen bond are also inorganic.
This chemistry is one of the most extensive subjects as it covers many substances approximating to a few thousand.
Examples of inorganic chemistry include
1: Acids: HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, H3PO4, etc.
2. Bases: NaOH, Mg (OH)2, KOH, Ca(OH)2
3. Salts: NaCl, MgSo4, KCl, CaCl2.
4. Gases: Oxygen, nitrogen, CO2, etc.
5. Oxidizing agents: KMNO4, KClO4.
6. Reducing substances: NaHSO3 (sodium thiosulfate.)
Their reactions are also mostly by ionic bonds and also by covalent.
Most of them form just single bonds, unlike organic compounds. Organic compounds have multiple bonds between two atoms occasionally. Also, they can exist as electrolytes in the liquids. These electrolytes are charged ions and can move in the electric field.
Application of inorganic compounds.
The compounds are many, so we find them in a different set of uses in daily life.
Inorganic chemistry compounds find a lot of use in medicine and health care. The individual compounds and their uses are in the table below.
Examples of Inorganic Chemistry in medicine
| Sl.No | Inorganic compound | Chemical formula | Application & uses |
| 1 | Magnesium hydroxide, Aluminum hydroxide | MgOH Al2(OH)3 | As antacids to relive acidity & heart burns |
| 2 | Sodium chloride, potassium chloride | NaCl, KCL | As oral re-hydration salts. To relieve weakness in time of dehydration, diarrhea or vomiting. |
| 3 | Sodium nitrite, Sodium thiosulfate | NaNO2, Na2S2O3 | In cyanide poisoning & anti-oxidant |
| 4 | Ferrous Sulfate | FeSO4 | In Anemia to enhance hemoglobin levels. |
| 5 | Sodium fluoride | NaF | In tooth paste to prevent dental caries |
| 6 | Oxygen | O2 | For respiration |
Besides medicine, we also use them at home for daily needs. Some of the examples are in the table below.
Examples of Inorganic Chemistry at home
| Sl.No | Inorganic Substance | Chemical formula | Uses |
| 1 | Table salt (Sodium Chloride) | NaCl | To give salt taste to food |
| 2 | Baking soda | NaHCO3 | In making cakes and other stuff. |
| 3 | Washing soda | Na2CO3 | Used in washing of clothes |
| 4 | Bleaching powder | CaoCl2 | Used in cleaning and sterilizing drinking water, swimming pools etc. |
Also, the inorganic substance includes all the minerals used in decoration items like talc, bentonite, steatite, etc.
Besides many ceramic products are made by the use of sand and other inorganic substances in combination. Even the electric circuits in computers are made of silicon which is sand-like substance. Hence the name silicon valley to the place of high use of computers.
Unlike organic compounds, they do not get spoiled when stored. They are also very stable to a large extent. They are comparatively cheaper and readily available.
I would like more practical applications of inorganic chemistry to chemical engineers.
And how a chemical engineer uses the knowledge of inorganic chemistry to change the community?