Open-chain (Adjective)
Meaning
Having an open chain structure.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with an open-chain structure consisting of single-bonded carbon atoms.
- In organic chemistry, a compound with an open-chain structure can be more reactive than its cyclic counterpart.
- Fatty acids are carboxylic acids with an open-chain structure, which are important components of lipids.
- Open-chain structures can exhibit greater flexibility than cyclic structures due to the freedom of rotation around the bonds.
- A molecule with an open-chain structure may have a lower melting point than its cyclic isomer due to the weaker intermolecular forces.