adjective Chemistry.
- pertaining to nonaromatic hydrocarbon compounds in which the constituent carbon atoms can be straight-chain, branched chain, or cyclic, as in alicyclic compounds; saturated, as in the paraffins; or unsaturated, as in the olefins and alkynes.
adjective
- (of an organic compound) not aromatic, esp having an open chain structure, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes
adj.
- Of, relating to, or being a group of organic chemical compounds in which the carbon atoms are linked in open chains.
- Relating to organic compounds whose carbon atoms are linked in open chains, either straight or branched, rather than containing a benzene ring. Alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes are aliphatic compounds. Compare aromatic.