Hydrocarbons The simplest organic compounds are those containing only carbon and hydrogen. Such compounds are known as hydrocarbon. Some of them are found in nature, where they were derived from plant or animal forms of life Several types of hydrocarbons are possibleHydrocarbons ◼ The simplest organic compounds are those containing only carbon and hydrogen. Such compounds are known as hydrocarbon. Some of them are found in nature, where they were derived from plant or animal forms of life. Several types of hydrocarbons are possible