Which of the following types of compounds is classified as inorganic?

The classification of compounds into organic and inorganic categories is fundamental in chemistry. Inorganic compounds are typically characterized by the absence of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds that are prevalent in organic compounds.

The correct choice encompasses acids, bases, salts, and oxides, which are all considered inorganic compounds. This is primarily due to their structural characteristics and the types of reactions they undergo. For instance, acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) and bases like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are inorganic because they do not contain C-H bonds. Similarly, salts formed from the reaction of acids and bases, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), also fall into the inorganic category. Oxides, which are compounds formed by the reaction of elements with oxygen, can be either organic or inorganic, but many are recognized as inorganic when they do not contain carbon in a manner that confers the characteristics of organic compounds.

In contrast, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and alcohols all contain carbon and hydrogen, which makes them organic compounds. Hydrocarbons consist solely of carbon and hydrogen. Aldehydes contain a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to a hydrogen atom, while alcohols include a hydroxyl group (-OH