cyclopropane
Definition
- 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.
Noun
-
a colorless flammable gas sometimes used as an inhalation anesthetic
