What is the study of substances that do not contain carbon generally called?

The study of substances that do not contain carbon is known as inorganic chemistry. Inorganic chemistry encompasses a wide range of compounds and materials, including minerals, metals, and nonmetals, that are not based on carbon-hydrogen bonds. This branch focuses on the properties and behaviors of these compounds, which can include everything from salts to metals, and plays a crucial role in fields such as materials science, catalysis, and mineralogy.

Organic chemistry, in contrast, specifically deals with carbon-containing compounds, typically focusing on their structure, properties, and reactions. Biochemistry bridges the gap between chemistry and biology, studying the chemical processes within and related to living organisms, primarily involving carbon-based compounds. Analytical chemistry involves the techniques and methods used to analyze substances to determine their composition and quantity but does not specifically refer to compounds based solely on their carbon content.