Organisch

Organisch is a term used in German to describe substances, processes, or matter that are related to living organisms, or more technically, carbon-containing compounds. In chemistry, organisch refers to organic substances whose structure is based on carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen, and often to other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and halogens. This contrasts with anorganisch (inorganic) chemistry, which deals with substances typically lacking carbon-hydrogen frameworks. The distinction became scientifically central in the 19th century; notably, the synthesis of urea by Friedrich Wöhler in 1828 demonstrated that organic compounds could be prepared from inorganic precursors, challenging earlier views and shaping the development of organic chemistry. Today, organic chemistry covers vast classes of carbon compounds, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

In biology and everyday language, organisch also denotes material derived from living or once-living organisms, such as organic matter in soil or compost. In agriculture and consumer discourse, “organisch” is commonly used to describe products produced under standards often referred to as organic farming or bio, emphasizing reduced synthetic chemicals, natural fertilizers, and sustainability.

The term also appears in contexts such as medicine, polymers, and materials science, where the properties and reactions of organic compounds are central. While organic compounds can be naturally occurring or synthetic, the modern usage emphasizes carbon-based chemistry and life-related origins rather than a strict technical division by origin.

See also Organic chemistry.