In chemistry, describing a cyclic compound that contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms in a ring, without the aromatic properties of benzene-type rings.
From 'ali-' (a prefix sometimes used in chemistry) combined with 'cyclic' (from Greek 'kyklos' meaning circle). The term was developed in the 19th century as organic chemistry expanded.
Alicyclic compounds are the bridge between open-chain molecules and aromatic rings—they're shaped like circles but behave differently, making them crucial for understanding how molecular shape affects chemical behavior.
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