To convert a linear molecular structure into a cyclic (ring-shaped) structure through a chemical reaction.
From 'cycl-' (Greek kyklos, circle) + '-ize' (suffix making verbs, meaning to cause to become). Used in chemistry since the late 1800s to describe the formation of ring structures.
When chemists 'cyclize' a molecule, they're essentially making it fold back on itself like tying the two ends of a rope together—and that seemingly simple change can transform an inactive chemical into a powerful drug.
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