How Do You Spell LACTAM?

Pronunciation: [lˈaktam] (IPA)

Lactam (/ˈlæk.təm/) refers to a cyclic amide molecule that contains a lactone ring. The word is derived from the Latin word "lac" meaning milk and "tam" meaning amide. The correct spelling of lactam is important in the field of chemistry as it distinguishes it from other similar compounds. The IPA phonetic transcription for lactam is /ˈlæk.təm/, with stress on the first syllable. Understanding the correct pronunciation and spelling of lactam is crucial for scientists and students studying the properties and uses of this compound.

LACTAM Meaning and Definition

1. A lactam is a cyclic organic compound that contains a carbonyl (C=O) group and a nitrogen atom within the ring structure. Specifically, it refers to any compound that is derived from an amide group by the removal of a water molecule. Lactams are characterized by a distinct ring structure formed by the carbon and nitrogen atoms, with the carbonyl group located at one end of the ring.

   Lactams have a broad range of applications and are found in various fields including pharmaceuticals, polymers, and organic synthesis. Due to their cyclic structure, lactams often exhibit unique chemical and physical properties. They can serve as building blocks for the synthesis of other compounds, as well as intermediates in various reactions.

   In the field of pharmaceuticals, lactams are particularly important because they are widely used as scaffolds in the design and development of drugs. Many drugs, such as antibiotics and anticonvulsants, contain lactam rings in their molecular structure. Lactams possess biological activity and are often involved in key interactions with target proteins, making them attractive candidates for drug discovery.

   Overall, lactams are versatile compounds that play a significant role in various scientific disciplines. Their unique structural features and diverse applications make them important components in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, polymers, and other organic compounds.

2. A term denoting the more unstable of the tautomeric forms of a urate, its formula being.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for LACTAM

• kactam
• pactam
• oactam
• lzctam
• lsctam
• lwctam
• lqctam
• laxtam
• lavtam
• laftam
• ladtam
• lacram
• lacfam
• lacgam
• lacyam
• lac6am
• lac5am
• lactzm
• lactsm
• lactwm

Etymology of LACTAM

The word "lactam" is derived from the Latin word "lac" meaning milk, and the Greek word "am(a)", which means amide. The term was coined by Hermann Emil Fischer, a German chemist, in 1888. He discovered a class of cyclic amides derived from amino acids that resembled lactose, a type of sugar found in milk. Fischer named these compounds "lactams" due to their similarity to lactose and their amide structure. Since then, the term "lactam" has been widely used in the field of organic chemistry to describe a range of cyclic amides.