Which of the following best describes the primary difference between organic and inorganic chemistry?

• A. Organic chemistry involves only $\mathrm{ionic}$ compounds, while inorganic chemistry involves only $\mathrm{covalent}$ compounds.
• B. Organic chemistry focuses on the study of $\mathrm{carbon}$-containing compounds, while inorganic chemistry deals with compounds that generally do not contain $\mathrm{carbon}$.
• C. Organic chemistry is concerned with reactions in living organisms, while inorganic chemistry is limited to laboratory reactions.
• D. Organic chemistry studies only $\mathrm{metals}$, whereas inorganic chemistry studies only $\mathrm{nonmetals}$.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that organic chemistry primarily focuses on the study of carbon-containing compounds. Carbon's unique ability to form four covalent bonds allows for a vast diversity of molecules, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids, and biomolecules.
2. Recognize that inorganic chemistry generally deals with compounds that do not contain carbon, such as salts, metals, minerals, and coordination complexes, although there are exceptions like carbonates and cyanides.
3. Note that the distinction is not based on the type of bonding (ionic vs covalent), as both organic and inorganic compounds can have covalent or ionic bonds.
4. Be aware that organic chemistry is not limited to reactions in living organisms; it also includes synthetic reactions in the laboratory, while inorganic chemistry covers a broad range of substances and reactions beyond biological systems.
5. Conclude that the best description of the primary difference is that organic chemistry focuses on carbon-containing compounds, whereas inorganic chemistry deals mostly with compounds without carbon.