Inorganic Salts
Inorganics are elements and compounds, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonates, cyanides, cyanates, and carbides, that do not contain a carbon-hydrogen bond. This group also includes carbon allotropes such as graphite and graphene.
Because organic chemicals include only those that contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms, the majority of elements in the periodic table and most substances in the material world are inorganic chemicals.
Inorganic compounds typically have high melting points and variable degrees of electrical conductivity. These properties make them useful in a wide range of applications:
- As a nitrogen source in fertilizers
- As catalysts in the production of plastics, fibers, and, polyurethanes
- In jet and rocket fuels and explosives
- As reagents in polymers like polyvinyl chloride and agrochemicals such as pesticides and soil treatments
- In pharmaceutical manufacturing
- As chemicals for water treatment and sterilization
- As pigments in paints, paper, ink, plastics, fibers, food, cosmetic, and other products
