Do all organic molecules contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen?

1 Answer
Nov 11, 2015

No, but they all contain carbon and hydrogen.

Explanation:

Almost all organic molecules contain carbon and hydrogen, and many contain other elements as well.

For example, ethane is #"CH"_3"CH"_3#. It contains only carbon and hydrogen.

Ethanol is #"CH"_3"CH"_2"OH"#. It contains oxygen as well.

Glycine is #"H"_2"NCH"_2"COOH"#. This one adds nitrogen.

There are many more examples, but all contain carbon and hydrogen.