cyclopropane

Thân thiện

A chemist carefully handles a sealed container of cyclopropane in the laboratory.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chemical compound: Cyclopropane is a specific organic chemical compound, a cycloalkane with the molecular formula C₃H₆.
   • A medical anesthetic: It is a colorless, flammable gas that was historically used as a general inhalation anesthetic in surgical procedures.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Cyclopropane is the simplest cycloalkane, consisting of three carbon atoms arranged in a ring.
  • Due to its explosive risk, the use of cyclopropane as an anesthetic has been largely discontinued.

Advanced Usage

• In organic chemistry: The term is used to describe the specific three-membered carbon ring structure, which is highly strained and reactive.
  • The strain energy in the cyclopropane ring makes it a valuable intermediate in synthesis.
• In historical medical context: Refers to its past application in medicine.
  • Cyclopropane was once prized for the rapid induction of anesthesia it provided.

Variants and Related Words

• Cycloalkane (n): A class of saturated hydrocarbons containing one or more carbon rings.
  • Cyclopropane is a member of the cycloalkane family.
• Anesthetic (n): A substance that induces insensitivity to pain.
  • Modern anesthetics are safer than cyclopropane.

Synonyms

• Trimethylene: An older, less common name for cyclopropane.

Related Phrases

• Cyclopropane ring: The specific three-carbon cyclic structure.
  • The reactivity is due to the angle strain in the cyclopropane ring.
• Cyclopropane anesthesia: The historical medical practice.
  • Cyclopropane anesthesia required careful handling due to flammability.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a colorless flammable gas sometimes used as an inhalation anesthetic