A carbon compound is any chemical substance that contains carbon atoms bonded to other elements. These compounds make up the basis of organic chemistry and are essential to life.
Main Categories of Carbon Compounds
1. Organic Compounds
These are compounds where carbon typically bonds with:
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Hydrogen (H)
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Oxygen (O)
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Nitrogen (N)
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Sulfur (S)
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Phosphorus (P)
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Halogens (Cl, Br, I)
Examples:
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Hydrocarbons: methane (CH₄), benzene (C₆H₆)
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Alcohols: ethanol (C₂H₅OH)
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Carboxylic acids: acetic acid (CH₃COOH)
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Esters: ethyl acetate (CH₃COOCH₂CH₃)
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Polymers: polyethylene, PVC
2. Inorganic Carbon Compounds
These contain carbon but are not considered “organic.”
Examples:
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Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
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Carbon monoxide (CO)
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Carbonates: CaCO₃ (kireç taşı)
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Cyanides: NaCN
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Carbides: SiC
Why Carbon Is Special
Carbon can form:
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4 covalent bonds
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Long chains and rings
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Single, double, and triple bonds
This versatility allows an enormous variety of molecules—over millions of known carbon compounds.
