Quiz Champion

What was the first organic compound to be synthesized from inorganic compounds?

  • Propane
  • Urea
  • Ethanol
  • Formaldehyde
Explanation

Urea was the first organic compound to be synthesized from inorganic compounds because it was successfully obtained from inorganic materials in a laboratory setting by Friedrich Wöhler in 1828. Prior to this, it was believed that organic compounds could only be produced by living organisms and that they were fundamentally different from inorganic compounds. However, Wöhler's synthesis of urea from inorganic compounds, such as ammonium cyanate, challenged this belief and laid the foundation for the field of organic chemistry. This discovery played a crucial role in demonstrating that it is possible to create organic compounds in a controlled manner without the need for living organisms.