Carbon Dioxide (#CO_2#) is classified as an inorganic compound because it does not contain what element?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 21, 2017

Because it does not contain an hydrogen bound to the carbon atom........

Explanation:

Chemists play pretty fast and loose with regard to the classification of organic versus inorganic compounds. Carbon dioxide does derive from organic processes, i.e. respiration, but it can also derive from non-biological processes such as combustion, and neutralization of carbonates. On the other hand, the bicarbonate ion, #HCO_3^(-)# does contain hydrogen (tho not formally bound to carbon), and this would also fall under the inorganic umbrella.

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