cyclophane

  1. Noun.  (organic chemistry) A hydrocarbon consisting an aromatic unit (typically a benzene ring) and an aliphatic chain that forms a bridge between two positions of the aromatic ring; more complex derivatives (the superphanes) with multiple aromatic units and bridges forming cagelike structures are known.
  2. Noun.  (organic chemistry) Any cyclic structure used as a base phane in the nomenclature of complex organic compounds.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.