furan

American  

[fyoor-an, fyoo-ran] / ˈfyʊər æn, fyʊˈræn /

noun

1. a colorless, liquid, unsaturated, five-membered heterocyclic compound, C 4 H 4 O, obtained from furfural: used chiefly in organic synthesis.

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furan British  

/ ˈfjʊəræn, fjʊəˈræn /

noun

1. Also called: furfuran.  a colourless flammable toxic liquid heterocyclic compound, used in the manufacture of cotton textiles and in the synthesis of nylon. Formula: C 4 H 4 O

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furan Scientific  

/ fyr′ăn′,fy-răn′ /

1. Any of a group of colorless, volatile, organic compounds containing a ring of four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. Furans are obtained from wood oils and used in the synthesis of many organic compounds.

2. The simplest such compound, consisting of a furan ring with two double bonds and attached to four hydrogen atoms. Chemical formula: C ₄ H ₄ O.

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Etymology

Origin of furan

First recorded in 1890–95; aphetic form of furfuran

Example Sentences

In one village, Minh Khai, Vinh said a sediment analysis found "very high contamination of lead and the presence of dioxins", as well as flammable furan -- all of which have been linked to cancer.

From Barron's

In one village, Minh Khai, Vinh said a sediment analysis found "very high contamination of lead and the presence of dioxins", as well as furan -- all of which have been linked to cancer.

From Barron's

"Large quantities of dioxin and furan have been added to the atmosphere and these are carcinogens. And then we have calculated it may kill about 70 people in our country," says Prof Guneeardena.

From BBC

Modern bacteria are thought to use furans for cellular signaling.

From Science Magazine

Pulp mills stopped dumping “black liquor,” a paper byproduct, into the water and Environment Canada began testing for waterborne carcinogens, like dioxins and furans, that had decimated fisheries.

From Seattle Times