heterocyclic
/ˌhɛtəroʊˈsaɪklɪk/
adjective
- Relating to a chemical compound whose molecular structure includes a ring of atoms containing at least two different elements (usually carbon plus another element like nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur).
- Many vitamins, such as B12, contain heterocyclic rings in their structure.
- The chemist studied the properties of a new heterocyclic compound for use in medicine.
- Caffeine is a well-known heterocyclic molecule found in coffee and tea.
noun
- A chemical compound that has a ring structure containing atoms of at least two different elements.
- Pyridine is a common heterocyclic used in the production of pesticides.
- Students learned to name heterocyclics in their organic chemistry class.
- The lab synthesized several heterocyclics to test their antibacterial activity.