structural formula

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a chemical formula showing the linkage of the atoms in a molecule diagrammatically, as H–O–H.

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structural formula British  

noun

1. a chemical formula showing the composition and structure of a molecule. The atoms are represented by symbols and the structure is indicated by showing the relative positions of the atoms in space and the bonds between them See also empirical formula molecular formula

   H–C≡C–H is the structural formula of acetylene

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structural formula Scientific  

/ strŭk′chər-əl /

1. A chemical formula that shows how the atoms making up a compound are arranged within the molecule. For example, the structural formula of aspirin is CH ₃ COOC ₆ H ₄ COOH, indicating that it consists of an acetyl group (CH ₃ COO) attached to the carboxylic acid (COOH) of a phenyl group (C ₆ H ₄).

2. Compare empirical formula molecular formula

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Etymology

Origin of structural formula

First recorded in 1885–90

Compare meaning

How does structural-formula compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• molecular formula vs. structural formula
• molecular vs. structural formula

Example Sentences

Camphor, C10H16O, is a ketone, having the following structural formula: There are a considerable number of essential oils which are phenols.

From Project Gutenberg

Chemical reference books came in for a special roasting, because: "either that lousy book is incomplete, or this structural formula is out of this world."

From Project Gutenberg

Such formulas as H-O-H and H-O-O-H are known as structural formulas, because they are intended to show what is known in regard to the arrangement of the atoms in the molecules.

From Project Gutenberg

With the structural formula of Harries as a clue chemists all over the world plunged into the problem with renewed hope.

From Project Gutenberg

Having thus endeavored to sketch each different kind of Echinoderm, let us try to forget them all in their individuality, and think only of the structural formula that applies equally to each.

From Project Gutenberg