Aliphatic
Aliphatic
Aliphatic (/ˌælɪˈfætɪk/; from Greek: ἄλειφαρ, aleiphar, 'oil') refers to organic compounds whose carbon atoms are linked in open chains, whether straight or branched, rather than containing aromatic rings. The term is used in organic chemistry to differentiate these types of compounds from aromatic compounds.
Etymology
The term "aliphatic" is derived from the Greek word "ἄλειφαρ" (aleiphar), which means oil. It was used because many of the simple aliphatic compounds were first isolated from oil and fat.
Types of Aliphatic Compounds
Aliphatic compounds can be saturated, like alkanes, unsaturated, like alkenes and alkynes, or cyclic, like cycloalkanes.
- Alkanes are aliphatic compounds where all the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds. They are also known as paraffins and have the general formula CnH2n+2.
- Alkenes are aliphatic compounds that contain a carbon-carbon double bond. They have the general formula CnH2n.
- Alkynes are aliphatic compounds that contain a carbon-carbon triple bond. They have the general formula CnH2n-2.
- Cycloalkanes are aliphatic compounds that contain carbon atoms connected in a ring or cyclic structure.
Properties
Aliphatic compounds are typically less complex than aromatic compounds. They can exist as gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature, depending on the size of the molecule. Aliphatic compounds are also less stable than their aromatic counterparts due to the lack of resonance stabilization.
Uses
Aliphatic compounds have a wide range of uses in industries such as fuels, solvents, and in the production of plastics, resins, rubber, dyes, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and explosives.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Aliphatic
- Wikipedia's article - Aliphatic
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