organisches

Organisches is a German adjective and noun form used to refer to material or phenomena related to organic chemistry or organic matter. In chemistry, organische Chemie is the branch that studies carbon-containing compounds, from simple hydrocarbons to complex polymers. The term’s modern sense emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries, and a pivotal moment was Friedrich Wöhler’s 1828 synthesis of urea, which demonstrated that organic compounds could be prepared from inorganic precursors and helped dissolve the old vitalist distinction.

Organic compounds are characterized by covalent bonding, a wide range of structures, and functional groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, and halogens. Common classes include alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, esters, and amines. Stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy, and methods of synthesis are core subtopics.

Beyond chemistry, organisches Material or organische Substanzen denotes matter derived from living organisms or their remains. In ecology and soil science, organic matter—consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, lignin, and humic substances—contributes to nutrient cycling, soil structure, and carbon storage.

In everyday language, organisch contrasts with anorganisch. The term also appears in contexts like organic farming (bio-organische), which emphasizes natural inputs and the reduction of synthetic chemicals.