Which type of compounds primarily contains carbon atoms?

Organic compounds are primarily characterized by the presence of carbon atoms. These compounds often include carbon-hydrogen bonds and can also contain other elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. The defining feature of organic chemistry, which studies these compounds, is that the vast majority of the compounds studied within this field are carbon-based.

Carbon's unique ability to form four covalent bonds allows it to create a vast array of structures, from simple molecules like methane (CH₄) to complex macromolecules like proteins and DNA. This versatility is a fundamental reason why carbon is the backbone of life and is a key element found in all biological molecules.

In contrast, inorganic compounds typically do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds and include a wide range of substances such as metals, salts, and minerals. Metallic compounds primarily involve metal elements, while acidic compounds refer to substances that can donate protons (H⁺ ions) in a solution, which may or may not contain carbon. Thus, the focus on carbon atoms distinctly sets organic compounds apart from these other categories.