heterocyclic

American  

[het-er-uh-sahy-klik, -sik-lik] / ˌhɛt ər əˈsaɪ klɪk, -ˈsɪk lɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. 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 (homocyclic ).

2. noting such compounds, as ethylene oxide, C 2 H 4 O.

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heterocyclic British  

/ -ˈsɪk-, ˌhɛtərəʊˈsaɪklɪk /

adjective

1. (of an organic compound) containing a closed ring of atoms, at least one of which is not a carbon atom Compare homocyclic

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heterocyclic Scientific  

/ hĕt′ə-rō-sī′klĭk,-sĭk′lĭk /

1. 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.

2. Compare homocyclic

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Other Word Forms

• heterocycle noun

Etymology

Origin of heterocyclic

First recorded in 1895–1900; hetero- + cyclic

Example Sentences

First, Herzon and his team avoided constructing a reactive heterocyclic ring, known as an indole, until the end of the process.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024

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 elements which go to form heterocyclic rings, in addition to carbon, are oxygen, sulphur, selenium and nitrogen.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various