No, cream of tartar is not an organic compound; it is an inorganic salt.
Cream of tartar, also known as potassium bitartrate or potassium hydrogen tartrate, has the chemical formula C4H5KO6. While it contains carbon and hydrogen, elements commonly associated with organic compounds, it is classified as an inorganic salt because it is derived from tartaric acid, which, in turn, is a byproduct of winemaking and forms as a sediment after fermentation. Despite its crucial role in organic chemistry history, thanks to Louis Pasteur's work in 1848 on its structure, the compound itself does not meet the criteria for classification as an organic compound. Typically, organic compounds feature carbon-hydrogen bonds and are produced by living organisms (historically, that was considered a key differentiator). Although tartaric acid is created by living things (grapes), cream of tartar itself is an ionic salt.
Here's a breakdown to clarify:
- Organic Compounds: Primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms covalently bonded, along with other elements like oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. These are traditionally derived from living organisms or their derivatives, although they can now be synthesized in labs.
- Inorganic Compounds: Generally include salts, metals, and other compounds that do not primarily contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. These are often minerals or products of geological processes.
Therefore, despite its historical significance to organic chemistry and presence of carbon and hydrogen atoms, cream of tartar is classified as an inorganic compound due to its ionic salt nature.
