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Glite Dictionary
four-membered

four-membered

8.2
A ring in a molecule that has four atoms or groups
  • adjective
  • /fɔrˈmɛmbərd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : de cuatro miembros
  • Many organic compounds contain a four-membered ring, such as cyclobutane.

Examples

  • Research has focused on the reactivity of four-membered heterocycles in synthetic chemistry.

  • The four-membered structure of the molecule increases ring strain compared to larger rings.

  • The four-membered ring is stable under normal conditions.

  • Can you explain what a four-membered compound is?

  • Many organic compounds contain a four-membered ring structure, such as cyclobutane.

  • The four-membered structure of cyclobutane contributes to its unique chemical properties.

  • In synthetic chemistry, understanding the stability of four-membered rings can aid in designing new compounds.

Synonyms

4-membered
vsfour-membered
  • Specialized
8.9

A molecule with a ring made of four atoms or groups

has identical meaning but spells the number in words rather than a digit

How Many Members

six-membered
  • Specialized
7.1
five-membered
  • Specialized
8.2
four-membered
  • Specialized
8.2
three-membered
  • Specialized
8.3

Surface Forms

four-membered positive

Morphology

four-membered = four + member (transparent) = four + member + ed

Formed by the numeral 'four' + 'member' then the adjectival suffix '-ed', meaning 'having four members', which is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word four-membered is made from four ('4') and member ('a part or person'), with -ed meaning 'having'. So a four-membered ring is simply a ring 'having four parts', like a team of four standing in a circle, and in chemistry those parts are four atoms, which is why the word means a ring made of four atoms.