epäorgaaninen

Epäorgaaninen kemia, or inorganic chemistry, refers to substances and processes not based primarily on carbon–hydrogen bonds. The Finnish term emphasizes the distinction from organic chemistry. The field covers elements and their compounds, including minerals, metals, metal oxides, salts, halides, sulfides, phosphates, silicates, and coordination compounds. It also encompasses carbon-containing compounds that are not classified as organic, such as carbonates, cyanides, carbon oxides, and carbides.

Scope and classification: Inorganic chemistry studies properties, synthesis, and reactions of inorganic compounds, with emphasis on structure, bonding, and crystallography. The border with organometallic chemistry lies in compounds containing metal–carbon bonds; organometallics are often viewed as a bridge between inorganic and organic chemistry. Subfields include solid-state chemistry, catalysis, materials chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, and coordination chemistry.

Properties and applications: Inorganic compounds display a wide range of properties, from ionic solids with high melting points to covalent network solids and complex coordination geometries. They participate in redox, acid–base, ligand-field, and catalytic processes. Applications span industrial catalysis, electronics, ceramics and glasses, pigments, fertilizers, energy storage, and corrosion protection.

Terminology and perspective: In Finnish education and research, epäorgaaninen kemia is a core domain that complements organic chemistry. The two fields intersect in areas such as organometallic and bioinorganic chemistry, illustrating the integrated nature of chemical science.