Natural vs Synthetic Compounds: Physical/Chemical Difference

[coktail]

Hi there,

First time posting in Chemistry, so go easy on me.

I'm wondering if there's any fundamental difference between synthetic and naturally-occurring compounds. By "fundamental" I mean some physical/chemical difference besides the process in which they came to be.

Related to this question: Can organic compounds (with carbon in them) be synthesized, or is that something only nature has figured out how to do?

Thanks very much.

 

[mfb]

If they have the same chemical structure, there is no difference.

Can organic compounds (with carbon in them) be synthesized, or is that something only nature has figured out how to do?

They can, and this is done all the time in chemistry.
Urea was the first in 1828.