open chain

open chain

n.

An arrangement of atoms that does not form a ring, as in silicon compounds and various carbon compounds, such as aliphatic hydrocarbons.

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open chain

An arrangement of atoms of the same type that does not form a ring. Aliphatic compounds, such as ethane and isopropyl alcohol, are open-chain compounds.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

open chain - a chain of atoms in a molecule whose ends are not joined to form a ring branched chain - an open chain of atoms with one or more side chains attached to it chemical chain, chain - (chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule) straight chain - an open chain of atoms with no side chains closed chain, ring - (chemistry) a chain of atoms in a molecule that forms a closed loop