DEUTERATED Meaning and
Definition
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Deuterated is an adjective that describes a substance or compound in which one or more of its hydrogen atoms have been replaced with deuterium, a heavy isotope of hydrogen. Deuterium contains a proton and a neutron in its nucleus, making it twice as heavy as the more common isotope of hydrogen, which only contains a proton.
Deuterated compounds are often created for use in various scientific, industrial, and medical applications. The replacement of hydrogen with deuterium can alter the physical and chemical properties of the substance. This substitution is typically done to investigate how reactions and processes differ when deuterium is involved, as it can provide valuable insights into the behavior of molecules and materials.
Deuterated compounds find widespread use in a range of fields. For example, deuterated solvents are frequently utilized in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy experiments, as they can improve the clarity and resolution of measurement results. Deuterated compounds are also employed in drug research and development to study metabolic pathways and drug interactions within the body. Additionally, deuterated compounds have applications in the field of analytical chemistry, where they can serve as internal standards or calibration references.
Overall, the term "deuterated" pertains to substances containing deuterium atoms, allowing scientists to explore various physical, chemical, and biological aspects through the substitution of hydrogen isotopes.
Etymology of DEUTERATED
The word "deuterated" is derived from the term "deuterium", which is an isotope of hydrogen. The term "deuterium" comes from the Greek word "deuteros", meaning "second" or "secondly", which refers to its higher atomic mass compared to ordinary hydrogen. Hence, "deuterated" is used to describe a compound or substance that has been labeled or substituted with deuterium atoms.
