ORGANIC SALT Meaning and
Definition
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Organic salt refers to a type of compound that is derived from organic acids and is formed through the reaction between these acids and bases. It is a substance that contains both positive and negative ions, similar to inorganic salts, but with the distinction that the ions composing organic salts are derived from organic molecules rather than inorganic ones. This makes organic salts distinct from inorganic salts, such as those made from metal cations and non-metal anions.
Organic salts are typically characterized by the presence of carbon atoms bonded to other elements, such as nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. These carbon atoms are often part of functional groups, such as carboxylate (-COO^-) or sulfonate (-SO3^-), and are responsible for providing the salt's organic properties. Due to the presence of these carbon-based functional groups, organic salts often display certain characteristics associated with organic compounds, such as being soluble in organic solvents.
Organic salts are commonly utilized in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, and agriculture. They can be used as intermediates or active ingredients in drug formulations, as catalysts in chemical reactions, or as fertilizers in agriculture. Additionally, organic salts can possess distinct physical and chemical properties, such as different melting points or solubilities, compared to their inorganic counterparts. These properties contribute to the versatility and broad applications of organic salts in different industries.
Etymology of ORGANIC SALT
The word "organic salt" is a combination of two terms: "organic" and "salt", each with their own distinct etymology.
1. Organic: The term "organic" originated from the Greek word "organikos" meaning "relating to an organ or instrument". It evolved in the late 16th century to describe compounds or living organisms (especially plants) that contain carbon atoms. The concept of organic chemistry, studying the properties and synthesis of carbon-based compounds, emerged during the 18th century, thanks to the efforts of chemists like Friedrich Wöhler.
2. Salt: The word "salt" has a much older etymology dating back to the Old English word "sealt" and further back to the Proto-Germanic word "*saltaz". The Proto-Germanic term likely originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*sal-", meaning "salt".
