NaCl, commonly known as table salt, is classified as an inorganic compound. This classification is based on its chemical composition and structure. Organic compounds typically contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds, which are not present in NaCl. Instead, NaCl consists of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) ions that are held together by ionic bonds.
Inorganic compounds include a variety of substances that do not fit the criteria for organic compounds. NaCl is a simple ionic compound formed when sodium, a metal, reacts with chlorine, a non-metal. The resulting compound is essential for various biological functions, but its lack of carbon atoms places it firmly within the inorganic category.