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cyclopropane

American  
[sahy-kluh-proh-peyn, sik-luh-] / ˌsaɪ kləˈproʊ peɪn, ˌsɪk lə- /

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.
  1. a colorless, flammable gas, C 3 H 6 , used in organic synthesis and in medicine as an anesthetic.


cyclopropane British  
/ ˌsɪk-, ˌsaɪkləʊˈprəʊpeɪn /

noun

  1. a colourless flammable gaseous hydrocarbon, used in medicine as an anaesthetic; trimethylene. It is a cycloalkane with molecules containing rings of three carbon atoms. Formula: C 3 H 6 ; boiling pt: –34°C

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

cyclopropane Scientific  
/ sī′klə-prōpān′,sĭk′lə- /
  1. A highly flammable, explosive, colorless gas that was once in wide use as an anesthetic but has been mostly replaced by less flammable gases. The three carbon atoms of cyclopropane form a triangular ring. Chemical formula: C 3 H 6 .


Etymology

Origin of cyclopropane

First recorded in 1890–95; cyclo- + propane

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Determining the Molecular Formula of a Gas from its Molar Mass and Empirical Formula Cyclopropane, a gas once used with oxygen as a general anesthetic, is composed of 85.7% carbon and 14.3% hydrogen by mass.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Cyclopropane anesthetic, a new gas similar to nitrous oxide, discovered.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cyclopropane, a new gas, is most respected because a trifle of it quickly anesthetizes the patient and causes no bad aftereffects.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cyclopropane is not unpleasant to take, without harmful effects on the heart, less inflammable than other anesthetic gases, as relaxing to the patient as ether.

From Time Magazine Archive

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