SPIROCYCLOPENTANE Meaning and
Definition
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Spirocyclopentane is a chemical compound that can be defined as a saturated organic compound containing a cyclopentane ring system fused to a spiro atom. It is a structural motif commonly found in natural products and medicinal compounds due to its unique geometric arrangement and diverse chemical reactivity.
The term "spiro" refers to the presence of a spiro atom, which is a carbon atom that connects two nonadjacent carbon atoms in a molecule. In the case of spirocyclopentane, the spiro atom is a carbon atom located at the junction between two cyclopentane rings.
Cyclopentane, on the other hand, is a cyclic hydrocarbon composed of five carbon atoms arranged in a closed ring, with each carbon atom being bonded to two hydrogen atoms. It is a volatile liquid with a pungent smell and is commonly used as a solvent in various industries.
Spirocyclopentane, as a compound, possesses distinct chemical characteristics and physical properties due to the presence of the spiro atom and the cyclopentane ring system. Its unique structure contributes to its ability to undergo various chemical reactions and form different derivatives. Moreover, the spirocyclopentane moiety often imparts rigidity and conformational restrictions to molecular compounds, making it an essential element in drug design and synthesis.
Overall, spirocyclopentane is an organic compound noted for its distinctive spiro atom connecting two cyclopentane rings. It is commonly encountered in natural products and serves as a crucial building block in the synthesis of complex organic molecules.
Etymology of SPIROCYCLOPENTANE
The word "spirocyclopentane" is a combination of three components: "spiro", "cyclo", and "pentane".
- "Spiro" is derived from the Greek word "speira", which means "a spiral", "twisted", or "coiled". In chemistry, "spiro" refers to a bicyclic compound in which two rings share only one common atom, giving the appearance of a spiral.
- "Cyclo" comes from the Greek word "kyklos", meaning "circle" or "wheel". In chemistry, "cyclo" is used as a prefix to indicate a cyclic compound, which forms a ring or multiple rings.
- "Pentane" is the name for a straight-chain alkane with five carbon atoms.
Therefore, "spirocyclopentane" describes a compound that contains a spiral-shaped cyclopentane ring system.
