aliphatic

American  

[al-uh-fat-ik] / ˌæl əˈfæt ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. pertaining to nonaromatic hydrocarbon compounds in which the constituent carbon atoms can be straight-chain, branched chain, or cyclic, as in alicyclic compounds; saturated, as in the paraffins; or unsaturated, as in the olefins and alkynes.

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aliphatic British  

/ ˌælɪˈfætɪk /

adjective

1. (of an organic compound) not aromatic, esp having an open chain structure, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes

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aliphatic Scientific  

/ ăl′ə-făt′ĭk /

1. Relating to organic compounds whose carbon atoms are linked in open chains, either straight or branched, rather than containing a benzene ring. Alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes are aliphatic compounds.

2. Compare aromatic

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Etymology

Origin of aliphatic

1885–90; < Greek aleiphat- (stem of áleiphar oil, fat) + -ic

Example Sentences

One type contains high amounts of aliphatic organic compounds, which are simple carbon-based molecules made of chains of carbon and hydrogen.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

"Thus, we attempted the simple introduction of aliphatic chains, which induce van der Waals interactions. These interactions can be effective for modulating the stacking structure of a material," adds Prof. Maeda.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2024

Pigment Violet 29, cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster, methylene chloride, n-methylpyrrolidone, perchloroethylene — reached similar conclusions of widespread “unreasonable risks,” as did one completed during the Trump administration for asbestos.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2023

Some hydrocarbons have both aliphatic and aromatic portions; beta-carotene is an example of such a hydrocarbon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The most common decomposition products of the natural tannoids are hydroxybenzoic acids, notably gallic and proto-catechuic acids; furthermore, other aromatic and aliphatic hydroxy compounds frequently occur.

From Synthetic Tannins by Grasser, Georg