heteroatom

[het-er-uh-at-uh m]

heteroatom Definition

an atom in a molecule that is not carbon or hydrogen.

Using heteroatom: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "heteroatom" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    Oxygen and nitrogen are common heteroatoms in organic molecules.

  • Example

    The presence of a heteroatom can significantly affect the properties of a molecule.

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Summary: heteroatom in Brief

A 'heteroatom' [het-er-uh-at-uh m] is an atom in a molecule that is not carbon or hydrogen. Oxygen and nitrogen are common examples of heteroatoms in organic molecules, and their presence can significantly affect the properties of a molecule.