THIOPHENE Meaning and
Definition
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Thiophene is a heterocyclic organic compound with a five-membered ring composed of four carbon atoms and one sulfur atom. It is a colorless liquid with a distinctive, strong smell similar to that of benzene. Thiophene is considered as the simplest aromatic sulfur-containing compound and is widely used in various chemical applications.
In terms of its chemical structure, thiophene is often represented as a pentagon with one sulfur atom (S) replacing one of the carbon atoms (C) in the ring. The substitution of sulfur in the ring structure gives thiophene its unique properties and reactivity. It is commonly found as a constituent of coal and petroleum, and is produced through various synthetic methods.
Thiophene is an important building block in the synthesis of several pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and dyes. It serves as a precursor in the production of benzothiophene, a key compound used in the synthesis of sulfur-containing polymers and materials.
Due to its aromatic nature, thiophene has significant applications in the field of materials science, particularly in organic electronics. It is used as a starting material for the production of conductive polymers, such as polythiophene, which are utilized in the fabrication of transistors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and solar cells.
Overall, thiophene is a versatile compound with diverse applications in various fields, making it an important and widely studied molecule in both academic and industrial settings.
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A hydrocarbon found in commercial benzene, a colorless oily liquid; antiseptic, but employed only in salts with iodine and bromine.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for THIOPHENE
Etymology of THIOPHENE
The word "thiophene" comes from a combination of two components: "thio-" and "-ene".
1. "Thio-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "thiōn", which means "sulfur". This prefix is commonly used in chemistry to indicate the presence of a sulfur atom in a compound.
2. "-ene" is a suffix in organic chemistry used for unsaturated hydrocarbons, typically indicating the presence of a double bond between two carbon atoms.
Therefore, "thiophene" is a compound name indicating a five-membered aromatic heterocycle that contains a sulfur atom instead of a carbon atom, with a double bond between two carbon atoms.
