cyclic compound

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cyclic compound

chemical compound

Also known as: ring compound

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June 25, 2026

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A cyclic compound is a chemical compound that contains atoms arranged in a ring structure. These rings can be formed by three or more carbon atoms, and sometimes include other elements like nitrogen or oxygen, which are then called heterocyclic compounds.12

Alicyclic compounds are a type of cyclic compound where the ring consists of carbon atoms. The stability of these rings depends on the size of the ring and the angles between the bonds. Smaller rings (three or four carbon atoms) are less stable due to strained bond angles, while larger rings allow for more optimal bond angles.1

Organic compounds, which form the basis of life, are characterized by carbon's unique ability to form extensive networks of covalent bonds with itself and other elements, leading to a vast diversity of structures, including chains and rings. Chemical compounds, in general, are substances made of identical molecules composed of atoms from two or more different elements.34

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hydrocarbon
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Benzene (C₆H₆), the simplest aromatic hydrocarbon, was first isolated in 1825 by English chemist Michael Faraday from the oily residues left from illuminating gas. In 1834 it was prepared from benzoic acid (C₆H
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Benzene (C₆H₆), the simplest aromatic hydrocarbon, was first isolated in 1825 by English chemist Michael Faraday from the oily residues left from illuminating gas. In 1834 it was prepared from benzoic acid (C₆H
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carbohydrate
Hemiacetal and hemiketal forms
…structures in solution but form cyclic, or ring, structures in hemiacetal or hemiketal forms, respectively. As illustrated for glucose and fructose, the cyclic structures are formed by the addition of the hydroxyl group (―OH) from either the fourth, fifth, or sixth carbon atom to the carbonyl group at position 1…
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…structures in solution but form cyclic, or ring, structures in hemiacetal or hemiketal forms, respectively. As illustrated for glucose and fructose, the cyclic structures are formed by the addition of the hydroxyl group (―OH) from either the fourth, fifth, or sixth carbon atom to the carbonyl group at position 1…
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organometallic compound
Cyclic polyene ligands
These rings, which have alternating double and single bonds, are among the most important ligands in organometallic chemistry; the most common members of this group range from cyclobutadiene (C₄H₄) to cyclooctatetraene (C₈H₈). Their organometallic compounds include the metallocenes ferrocene and bisbenzenechromium and
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These rings, which have alternating double and single bonds, are among the most important ligands in organometallic chemistry; the most common members of this group range from cyclobutadiene (C₄H₄) to cyclooctatetraene (C₈H₈). Their organometallic compounds include the metallocenes ferrocene and bisbenzenechromium and
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Leopold Ružička
…Chemistry for his work on ringed molecules, terpenes (a class of hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of many plants), and sex hormones.
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…Chemistry for his work on ringed molecules, terpenes (a class of hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of many plants), and sex hormones.
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