open chain
- noun
- Specialized
:
cadena abierta
- In organic chemistry, an open chain refers to a linear arrangement of atoms in a molecule.
Examples
-
And so there's no way that either of these sugars can access the open chain form without breaking this O glycosidic bond.
-
Or it could just be the open chain D glucose that I was drawing earlier.
-
The chemist explained that an open chain is formed when the molecular structure has the ends of atoms not connected.
-
To create different isomers, scientists often start with an open chain of carbon atoms.
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a chain whose ends are not connected' is directly composed from 'open' (not closed) + 'chain' (a linked sequence), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the intended sense. Although the term is technical in chemistry, the modifier + noun structure and cross‑linguistic parallels make the relation transparent.
Etymology
The term open chain creates a simple image: think of a chain or necklace with its ends left open, not joined into a circle. In chemistry this means the atoms in a molecule are joined in a straight line with free ends rather than a 'ring', so the name helps you remember the chain's ends are not connected.
