organic compounds whose molecules contain closed rings of carbon atoms. Cyclohex-anol (I), for instance, contains a ring of six carbon atoms. Aromatic compounds also contain closed rings, but they exhibit a number of substantial peculiarities of their own and are therefore placed in a separate large category of organic compounds. Alicyclic and aromatic compounds together constitute the group of carbocyclic, or isocyclic, compounds.
The numerous alicyclic compounds differ from one another in the number of rings, the relative position of these rings, the number of carbon atoms in the cycles, the presence of simple or multiple bonds between carbon atoms, and the nature of the functional groups. For example, mono-, bi-, tri-, and polycyclic alicyclic compounds are known. Cyclopropane (II) contains three carbon atoms in the cycle; cy-clopentane (III), five; and cyclohexane, six. As distinct from compounds I—III, which belong to the cycloalkanes, cyclopentane (IV). and cyclohexadiene (V) are typical examples of unsaturated compounds with a different number of dual bonds.
Alicyclic compounds appear in the most diverse compounds in nature. In particular, there are many cycloalkanes in petroleum, notably cyclopentane and cyclohexane, for which reason the group is sometimes referred to as naphthenes.
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|