molecules degrade by turning into other molecules that are undesirable. a common example is oxidation -- the gasoline in your car will, over time, oxidize and turn into a gum that will clog up your fuel injector and ruin your car in general. gasoline is made of organic molecules so for an example of inorganic molecules that oxidize and degrade in the earth -- FeO will turn into Fe2O3 over time.
was this for your homework last semester?