heterocyclic
Americanadjective
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of or relating to the branch of chemistry dealing with cyclic compounds in which at least one of the ring members is not a carbon atom (contrasted with homocyclic).
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noting such compounds, as ethylene oxide, C 2 H 4 O.
adjective
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Of or relating to a compound containing a closed ring structure made of more than one kind of atom. Pyridine (C 5 H 5 N), for example, is a heterocyclic compound, as its ring contains five carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom.
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Compare homocyclic
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of heterocyclic
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.
To showcase the versatility of the newly developed GACs, the researchers assessed its performance in various chemical reactions, such as the formation of multifunctional heterocyclic compounds that are commonly used in the production of pharmaceuticals.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2023
And cooking chicken and other meats at high temperatures can form heterocyclic amines, which are carcinogens.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 2, 2023
A heterocyclic compound contains atoms of two or more different elements in its ring structure.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
These other suspects include haem iron – a substance that is abundant in all red meat, processed or not – and heterocyclic amines: chemicals that form in meat during cooking.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 1, 2018
The more important nuclei of this type have received special and non-systematic names; when this is not the case, such terms as phen-, benzo-, naphtho- are prefixed to the name of the heterocyclic ring.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
