A compound is something that is formed as a result of a combination of two or more same or different elements. A compound from a chemical origin is called a chemical compound and is any material composed of interconnected molecules made of atoms representing two or more chemical elements. Water, Sugar, Vitamins, and polymers are all examples of compounds. Chemical compounds are present all around the earth in many forms and they possess different structures, chemical formulas and properties like boiling point, melting point, reactivity, stability, etc. In this article, you will find details about chemical compounds, examples of compounds, types of chemical compounds, ionic compound examples, inorganic compounds examples, and organic compounds examples.
Classification of Compounds:
Chemical compounds can be classified into many types based on their nature, composition, structure, bonds and forces.
Based on the bonds between their elements, They are classified into four types:
- Covalent compound: Covalent compounds are substances that are formed as the result of covalent linkage occurrence between two or more molecules.
- Ionic compound: Ionic compounds are substances that are formed as the result of ionic linkage occurrence between two or more molecules.
- Intermetallic compound: Intermetallic compounds are substances that are formed as the result of metallic bond occurrence between two or more molecules.
- Complexes: Complex compounds are substances that are formed as the result of dipolar or coordinate covalent bond occurrence between two or more molecules.
Based on the composition of elements, Chemical compounds are classified into two types. They are:
- Inorganic compounds: These are compounds that do not possess a carbon atom in them and are mostly connected by ionic bonds.
- Organic compounds: These are compounds that are composed of carbon atoms and are mostly connected by covalent bonds.
Covalent Compound examples:
Some of the examples of compounds that are linked by covalent bonds are Hydrochloric acid, methane, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, helium dimer, nylon, polyethene, ethanol, iodine, graphite, diamond, starch, quartz, nitric oxide, chlorine dioxide, bromine dioxide, iodine dioxide, ammonia, water, acetate, carbon monoxide, diphosphorus pentoxide, nitrogen monoxide, dinitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide.
Ionic Compound examples:
Some of the examples of ionic compounds that are linked by ionic bonds are sodium chloride, magnesium nitride, caesium fluoride, sodium oxide, potassium bromide, lithium chloride, hydroxide ion, aluminium carbide, cadmium sulphide, calcium iodide, calcium phosphide, thiocyanate, ammonium, cyanide, carbonate, hydronium, hydrogen carbonate (bicarbonate), cyanate, peroxide, thiosulfate, potassium acetate, magnesium phosphate, ammonium chloride, calcium sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, and aluminium carbonate.
Intermetallic Compound examples:
Some of the examples of compounds that are linked by the metallic bond are alnico, sendust, terfenol-D, Permendur, Nitinol, Nickel aluminide, Titanium disilicide, silicon alloy, germanium alloy, tellurium alloy and other metal alloys.
Complex Compound examples:
Some of the examples of compounds that are linked by the coordinate covalent bonds are azomethine ylide, potassium ferrocyanide, potassium ferricyanide, pentaammine chloro cobalt(III) chloride, dichloro bis (ethylenediamine) platinum(IV) nitrate and nitrite.
Inorganic compounds examples:
Some of the common examples of compounds that are inorganic in nature are Ammonia, Sodium Hydroxide, Boric Acid, Aluminium Hydroxide, Sodium Acetate, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Bicarbonate, Water, Ammonium Sulphate, Carbon Dioxide, Sodium Carbonate, Sulfuric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sulphur Dioxide, Sodium Fluoride, Calcium Carbonate, Aluminium Oxide, Calcium Hydroxide, Calcium Oxide, Calcium Phosphate, Ammonium Chloride, Calcium Silicate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Magnesium Chloride, and Carbon Monoxide.
- Sodium Hydroxide is a solid crystal soluble in water and organic solvents. It is the most widely used inorganic compound that helps in the manufacturing of soap, paper, explosives, rayons, and dyes. It acts as a bleaching agent, fabric processor and electroplating.
- Sulfuric acid is the strongest of all naturally occurring acids. It is commonly used in metallurgical processes and chemical manufacturing. It is used in the production of dyes, explosives, fertilisers, drugs, etc.
- Ammonia is a highly corrosive alkaline compound. It is used in wastewater treatment and in the production of leather, rubber, paper, cosmetics, etc.
Organic compounds examples:
The organic compounds examples are as follows: Acetylene, Benzene, Alpha-Tocopherol, Benzoic Acid, Amoxicillin, Beta-Carotene, Amyl Acetate, Butane, Retinol, Riboflavin, Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine, Camphor, Collagen, Cellulose, Chloroform, Chlorophyll, Ethyl Acetate, Cholesterol, Ethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Polypropylene, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene, Fructose, Glycerol, Glucose, Thiamine, Toluene, Isoprene, Urea, Ethylene Oxide, Styrene, Sucrose, Ethylene Glycol, Hexane and lactic acid.
- Benzene is the simplest compound made up of aromatic hydrocarbons that is widely applicable for industries. It is used in the fabrication of plastics, rubbers and synthetics fibres. It is also involved in the making of drugs, pesticides, detergents, resins, and paints.
- Citric acid is an odourless compound highly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. It is used as a buffering agent, food preservative, chelating agent, flavour enhancers and anticoagulation agent.
- Urea is a common nitrogen derivative. It has a wide scope of application in agriculture as fertiliser. It is also used in the manufacturing of explosives, dyes, plastics, disinfectants, etc.
Conclusion:
Chemical compounds are present in every element around the globe. It is of many types and is used in various sectors like industries, households, laboratories, foods, pharmaceuticals, research, automobiles, fuels and more. It is used in the production of paints, bleaching powders, food additives, oils, alcohols, soft drinks, soaps, pharmaceutical drugs, etc.