Definition

Noun: 1. A colorless, toxic, flammable liquid chemical compound: Furan is a heterocyclic organic compound, consisting of a five-membered aromatic ring with four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. It is primarily used as an intermediate or starting material in the synthesis of other chemicals, such as those used to produce certain polymers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Furan is a volatile organic compound with a low boiling point.
  • The industrial process involves the distillation of furan.
  • Researchers are studying new catalysts for the hydrogenation of furan.

Advanced Usage

• In Chemical Nomenclature: The term "furan" also refers to the core ring structure itself. Compounds derived from this structure are named as "furans" (e.g., "substituted furans").
  • The molecule contains a furan ring at its center.

Variants and Related Words

• Furanose (noun): A sugar derivative containing a furan ring structure (a five-membered ring with four carbons and one oxygen).
  • Ribose in its cyclic form is a furanose.
• Furfural (noun): An aldehyde derived from furan, often produced from agricultural byproducts like corncobs or oat hulls.
  • Furfural is an important renewable platform chemical.*

Synonyms

• Oxole: The systematic IUPAC name for the furan compound.
• Furfuran: An alternative, less common name for furan.

Related Phrases / Terms

• Furan resin: A type of polymer resin derived from furfuryl alcohol, known for its chemical and heat resistance.
  • The foundry uses furan resin to create sand molds for metal casting.
• Furan derivative: Any chemical compound whose structure is based on or derived from the furan ring.
  • Many pharmaceuticals are complex furan derivatives.

Noun

1. a colorless toxic flammable liquid used in the synthesis of nylon