Cycloheptane

/ˌsaɪ.kloʊˈhɛp.teɪn/ noun

Definition

A chemical compound composed of a seven-membered ring of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached, a simple hydrocarbon used in research and industry.

Etymology

From 'cyclo-' (Greek kyklos, ring) + 'heptane' (from Greek hepta, seven + '-ane', the alkane hydrocarbon suffix). Synthesized and named in the late 1800s as organic chemists systematically created ring-shaped hydrocarbons.

Kelly Says

Cycloheptane is like a molecular ring with seven corners—it's surprisingly unstable because a seven-sided carbon ring is geometrically awkward, which makes it fascinating to chemists studying the limits of molecular stability.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.