Chemical Compound

Chemical Compounds in chemistry are pure form of matter which are formed by combination of two or more elements in a fixed ratio. They are different from the mixture in which the constituent particles are combined in any ratio. For example, sugar solution is a mixture but water is a chemical compound. This is because in sugar solution water and sugar can combine in any ratio to form solution but to form water i.e. H2O, hydrogen and oxygen have to always combine in fix ratio i.e. 2:1.

In this article, we will learn in detail about what is chemical compounds, their example, types, bonding, some of commonly used chemical compound and how are they different from molecules and elements.

What are Chemical Compounds?

When two or more elements chemically combine in a fixed ratio by mass, the resulting product is known as a compound. These compounds exhibit unique properties that are different from those of their constituent elements. In these chemical compounds, the atoms are held together with chemical bonds, which can be either ionic or covalent, depending on the type of compound. All the matter in the universe is composed of the atoms of more than 100 different chemical elements, which are found both in pure form and combined in chemical compounds.

• Chemical compounds can have a wide range of properties, including color, odor, melting point, boiling point, solubility, and reactivity.
• They can be found in various forms, including solids, liquids, and gases, and these play a crucial role in the day to day life.
• Chemical compounds follow the law of definite proportions, also known as the law of constant composition.
• This law states that a chemical compound always contains the same elements in the same proportion by mass, regardless of the source or method of preparation.

Example of Chemical Compound

Water is H₂O which shows two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen have combined to form one molecule of H₂O. This H₂O is a compound. To form water hydrogen and oxygen will always have to combine in 2:1.

Similarly, Common salt is NaCl, which shows one atom of sodium and one atom of chlorine combine to form one molecule of NaCl.

History of Chemical Compound

The collisional pressure eventually led a few helium atoms to share their electrons with protons. Thus, the first chemical bonds were formed. The new compound of helium and hydrogen was called Helium hydride or helonium (HeH⁺), the very first molecule (of any sustained abundance) in the universe.

The term “compound” with a meaning similar to the modern understanding has been used at least since 1661 when Robert Boyle’s book The Sceptical Chymist was published. In this book, Boyle variously used the terms “compound”, “compounded body”, “perfectly mixt body”, and “concrete”.

Types of Chemical Compound

Chemical compounds can be broadly categorized into several types based on their composition and bonding characteristics. They are:

Chemical compounds	Definition	Examples
Ionic Compounds	These compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, which result in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions.	Sodium chloride (NaCl) Calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
Covalent Compound	These compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between two different or same atoms. These compounds mostly consist of nonmetals.	Water (H2O) Methane (CH4)
Organic Compounds	These compounds contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms, along with other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens. These compounds are essential to life.	Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Inorganic Compounds	These compounds typically lack carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.	salts, metals, minerals, and simple oxides.
Metallic Compounds	These compounds are characterized by the presence of metal atoms held together by metallic bonds. They often have high thermal and electrical conductivity	Alloys such as brass (copper and zinc) and steel (iron and carbon)
Acids and Bases	Acids are compounds that release hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, while bases are compounds that release hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution.	Hydrochloric acid (HCl) Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Coordination Compounds	Any of a class of substances with chemical structures in which a central metal atom is surrounded by nonmetal atoms or groups of atoms, called ligands, joined to it by chemical bonds.	Vitamin B12, Hemoglobin, Chlorophyll, Dyes, Pigments and Catalysts
Hydrates	These compounds contain water molecules that are loosely bound to the main compound through hydrogen bonds	copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O)
Organometallic Compounds	These compounds contain at least one metal to carbon atom in which carbon is part of an organic group.	Grignard Reagent Triethylborane
Polymeric Compounds	These compounds are composed of repeating structural units called monomers.	Plastics, rubbers, and some types of fibers.

Bonding in Chemical Compounds

The formation of a chemical bond between two or more atoms, molecules or ions to give rise to a chemical compound. These chemical bonds keep the atoms together in the results in the formation of the compound. The most common types of chemical bonding are:

Ionic Bonding

Ionic bond is formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation between a positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) is called an ionic bond. Example: sodium chloride (NaCl), where sodium (Na) donates an electron to chlorine (Cl) to form Na⁺ and Cl^– ions.

Covalent Bonding

Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms to become a stable electron configuration. In a covalent bond, atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, results in the formation of molecules. Examples: Water (H2O), where Oxygen (O) shares electrons with two Hydrogen (H) atoms.

Metallic Bonding

Metallic bonding occurs in metals and alloys, Where positively charged metal ions are held together. These electrons are free to move throughout the material, contributing to its electrical conductivity. Examples: Pure metals like Copper (Cu) and alloys like bronze (composed of copper and tin).

Hydrogen Bonding

Hydrogen Bond is a type of polar covalent bonding between oxygen and hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen develops a partial positive charge. This implies that the electrons are pulled closer to the more electronegative atoms like oxygen atom. Hydrogen bonds are relatively weak compared to covalent or ionic bonds.

Chemical Compound List

Some of the commonly used chemical compound along with their formula and uses are tabulated below:

Chemical Compound	Formula	Common Name	Uses
Water	H2O	Water	Drinking, cooking, industrial processes
Sodium Chloride	NaCl	Table Salt	Food seasoning, food preservation, deicing agent
Hydrogen Peroxide	H2O2	Peroxide	Disinfectant, Bleaching agent, Antiseptic
Carbon Dioxide	CO2	Carbon Dioxide	Carbonation of beverages(soft drinks), fire extinguishing, greenhouse gas in photosynthesis for plants.
Glucose	C6H12O6	Glucose	Energy source released during digestion for living organisms, food production
Ethanol	C2H5OH	Ethyl Alcohol	Alcoholic beverages, solvent, fuel
Ammonia	NH3	Ammonia	Fertilizer production, household cleaners, refrigerant
Sulfuric Acid	H2SO4	Battery Acid	Industrial processes, battery acid, pH regulator
Sucrose	C12H22O11	Table Sugar	Sweetener, food ingredient, energy source
Calcium Carbonate	CaCO3	Limestone	Antacid, calcium supplement, building material
Aspirin	C9H8O4	Acetylsalicylic Acid	Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, fever reducer

Element vs Chemical Compounds

Elements are the purest form of matter. They are composed of only kind of atoms unlike compound which has more than one kind of atom. The detail comparison between element and chemical compound is tabulated below:

Differentiating Property	Element	Compound
Definition	In Element we have a pure substance composed of only one atom.	In Compound we have a molecule consists of 2 or more elements combined chemically.
Examples	Na (Sodium)	NaCl (Sodium chloride)
Physical State	Can exist as solids, liquids, or gases, depending on the element.	Can exist as solids, liquids, or gases, depending on the compound.
Total Numbers	There are nearly 118 elements (at present) of which nearly 94 occur naturally on Earth remaining are man made elements.	Each element can form 100’s of compounds (almost endless).
Types	Elements are classified as either metals, nonmetals or metalloids based on their properties.	Compounds are classified into organic compounds, inorganic compounds, acids, bases, salts, etc., based on their composition and properties.
Properties	In elements we have unique physical and chemical properties.	In compound properties depend on the elements present and their arrangement in the compound.
Atomic Structure	Consist of a single type of atom.	Consist of two or more types of atoms bonded together in particular arrangements.
Composition and Property	In element one type of atoms makes up an element, all the properties of that atom are represented by its atom	In the compound the same type of molecules makes up the compound.
Ability to Breakdown	Elements cannot be broken down by chemical reactions.	Compounds can be easily separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions.
Chemical Reactions	Participate in chemical reactions to form compounds or undergo transformations.	Participate in chemical reactions as reactants, producing new compounds as products.

Difference between Molecules and Compounds

Molecules and compounds often confuse students. However there is difference between them. Some of the difference between molecules and compounds is tabulated below:

Parameters	Molecule	Compound
Definition	A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds, represent the smallest unit of a chemical compound. All molecules are not compounds. Consist of two or more atoms bonded together, which may be of the same or different elements.	A compound is a substance which is formed by composed of two or more different elements chemically bonded together. All compounds are molecules. Consist of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio.
Examples	Oxygen molecule (O2) Water molecule (H2O) Carbon dioxide molecule (CO2)	Carbon dioxide (CO2) Sodium chloride (NaCl) Glucose (C6H12O6)
Types	Covalent Polar covalent Hydrogen bonding	Ionic bonding Covalent bonding Metallic bonding
Stability	Exist stable entities under certain conditions or participate in chemical reactions to form compounds.	Stable substances under specific conditions or undergo chemical reactions to produce new substances.

FAQs on Chemical Compounds

Define chemical compound

When two or more elements chemically combine in a fixed ratio by mass, the obtained product is known as a compound. These compounds exhibit unique properties that are different from those of their constituent elements.

Which law of chemical combination is followed by chemical compound?

Chemical compounds follow the law of definite proportions, also known as the law of constant composition. This law states that a chemical compound always contains the same elements in the same proportion by mass, regardless of the source or method of preparation.

How is chemical compound different from element?

Element we have a pure substance composed of only one atom. Example of elements are Na, H₂. Compound we have a molecule consists of 2 or more elements combined chemically. Example of compounds are NaCl, H₂O

What are 5 examples of chemicals compounds?

The five examples of chemical compounds are

• Water (H₂O)
• Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)
• Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

What are Organic Compounds?

Organic compounds are compounds that contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms, often with other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.

What are 4 types of organic compounds?

There are numerous types of organic compounds, but here are four major categories:

• Hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed of only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
• Alcohols: Alcohols are organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups bonded to a carbon atom.
• Carboxylic Acids: Carboxylic acids are organic compounds containing a carboxyl group (-COOH).
• Amines: Amines are organic compounds containing a nitrogen atom bonded to one or more alkyl or aryl groups.