A Look at Elemental Analysis for Organic Compounds Image Credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com Elemental analysis offers scientists a method of determining the elements present in an organic compound, and in what quantity. Various fields of science rely on this type of analysis for research, quality control, and development. Medicine, engineering, and chemistry are just a few of the fields that utilize elemental analysis of organic compounds. Here, we discuss why it is important, and detail the most common method of elemental analysis of organic compounds, CHNSO analysis. What is Elemental Analysis and Why Carry it Out for Organic Compounds? Elemental analysis of a compound is the process by which a sample is analyzed to determine elements present and in what quantity. Sometimes, the sample’s isotopic composition is also defined. Elemental analysis can be categorized as being qualitative, where the presence of particular elements is determined, or quantitative, where the volume of a particular element present in the example is determined.