Question

How are cyclic compounds classified?

Answer 1

Organic compounds can be broadly classified into acyclic, aliphatic or open chain and cyclic or closed chain compounds.

Cyclic Compounds

In some compounds, Carbon ($C$) atoms are linked in such a manner as to form a closed chain. such compounds are called cyclic compounds. Based on ring structure, these cyclic compounds are further classified into homocyclic and hetrocyclic compounds.

Example: Cyclopropane ($C_3{H}_6$), Cyclopentane ($C_5{H}_{12}$)

(a) Homocyclic Compounds:

Homocyclic compounds can be defined as molecules that are ring structures that feature only Carbon ($C$) atoms within the ring. It is further divided into:

i) Alicyclic Compounds

A hydrocarbon with a cyclic chain of Carbon ($C$) atoms with single bonds between all the atoms is called alicyclic compound. They have the general formula $C_n{H}_{2n}$.

For example: Cyclopropane ($C_3{H}_6$)

ii) Arimatic Compounds

A hydrocarbon with a cyclic chain of carbon atoms with alternate single and double bonds is called alicyclic compound.

For example: Benzene ($C_6{H}_6$)

(b) Heterocyclic Compounds:

Cyclic compounds in which the ring structure is made up of atoms like Nitrogen ($N_2$), Oxygen ($O_2$) and Sulphur ($S$) in addition to Carbon ($C$) atoms, are called heterocyclic compounds.