Move beyond the body, and inorganic chemistry is the engine of industry. The Haber-Bosch process, which uses an iron catalyst to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, has arguably saved more human lives than any medical procedure, providing the nitrogen for synthetic fertilizer. Without this single inorganic reaction, Earth could not support 8 billion people. Similarly, the catalytic converter in your car uses a honeycomb of platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These metals have exactly the right surface electron configuration to grab toxic carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, forcing them to react into harmless CO₂ and N₂.
Some common types of inorganic compounds include: inorganic chemistry
The history of inorganic chemistry dates back to ancient times, when humans first discovered and used metals, such as copper, bronze, and iron. The ancient Greeks and Romans were also familiar with various inorganic compounds, such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid. However, it was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that inorganic chemistry began to emerge as a distinct field of study. Move beyond the body, and inorganic chemistry is