pyrrole

[pi-rohl, pir-ohl] /pɪˈroʊl, ˈpɪr oʊl/
noun, Chemistry
1.
a colorless, toxic, liquid, five-membered ring compound, C 4 H 5 N, that is a component of chlorophyll, hemin, and many other important naturally occurring substances.
Origin
1825-35; irregular < Greek pyrr(hós) red + -ole
Related forms
pyrrolic
[pi-rol-ik, -roh-lik] /pɪˈrɒl ɪk, -ˈroʊ lɪk/ (Show IPA),
adjective
British Dictionary definitions for pyrrole

pyrrole

/ˈpɪrəʊl; pɪˈrəʊl/
noun
1.
a colourless insoluble toxic liquid having a five-membered ring containing one nitrogen atom, found in many naturally occurring compounds, such as chlorophyll. Formula: C4H5N Also called azole
Derived Forms
pyrrolic (pɪˈrɒlɪk) adjective
Word Origin
C19: from Greek purrhos red, from pur fire +-ole1
pyrrole in Medicine

pyrrole pyr·role (pēr'ōl')
n.
A five-membered heterocyclic ring compound that has an odor similar to chloroform and is the parent compound of hemoglobin, chlorophyll, and many other complex, biologically active substances. Also called imidole.


pyr·ro'lic (pĭ-rō'lĭk) adj.
pyrrole in Science
pyrrole
  (pîr'ōl')   
  1. Any of a class of organic compounds having a five-member ring composed of four carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom. The pyrrole ring structure is a component of many biologically important compounds, including porphyrins, alkaloids, and certain amino acids.

  2. The simplest of this class of compounds, in which a single hydrogen atom is attached to each atom in the ring. It has a pleasant odor similar to that of chloroform. Chemical formula: C4H5N.


Encyclopedia Article for pyrrole

any of a class of organic compounds of the heterocyclic series characterized by a ring structure composed of four carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom. The simplest member of the pyrrole family is pyrrole itself, a compound with molecular formula C4H5N. The pyrrole ring system is present in the amino acids proline and hydroxyproline; and in coloured natural products, such as chlorophyll, heme (a part of hemoglobin), and the bile pigments. Pyrrole compounds also are found among the alkaloids, a large class of alkaline organic nitrogen compounds produced by plants.

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