ANNULENE Meaning and
Definition
-
Annulene is a chemical compound that falls under the category of cyclic hydrocarbons. Specifically, it constitutes a class of annulated or fused cyclic compounds that possess a planar structure consisting of alternating double and single bonds between carbon atoms. This alternating arrangement of double bonds imparts significant stability and unique electronic properties to annulenes.
These compounds are also referred to as aromatic hydrocarbons due to their aromaticity, meaning they exhibit enhanced stability that arises from the delocalization of electrons around the entire ring structure. Annulenes can vary in size and complexity, with smaller members containing as few as four carbon atoms, while larger ones can consist of multiple fused rings. Their unique stability and electronic properties make annulenes of great importance in various fields of chemistry, such as organic synthesis, electronic materials, and medicinal chemistry.
The term "annulene" originated from the Latin word "annulum," meaning ring, which accurately reflects the cyclic nature of these compounds. Due to their intriguing structural features and versatile reactivity, annulenes continue to fascinate and attract the attention of researchers in their quest for developing new materials and understanding aromaticity in chemical systems.
Etymology of ANNULENE
The word "annulene" is derived from the Latin word "annulus", which means "ring". The suffix "-ene" suggests that it is a hydrocarbon with a double bond, similar to "ethylene" or "propene". Therefore, "annulene" essentially refers to a ring-shaped hydrocarbon compound.
