Molecular

A process in the natural sciences is molecular ( Latin: molecularula , diminutive of moles 'mass') when it affects the level of the molecules or the molecules themselves. In a figurative sense, it is often used to speak of processes that relate to very small particles.

Molecular elements

In chemistry , molecular also means that a chemical element is present in the form of polyatomic molecules. Examples are dimers , i.e. biatomic compounds such as oxygen O ₂ , nitrogen N ₂ , hydrogen H ₂ and the halogens F ₂ , Cl ₂ , and molecules made up of several identical atoms such as ozone O ₃ , phosphorus P ₄ and sulfur S ₈ . In contrast, there are atomic elements, such as the noble gases .

Intermolecular

In chemistry and physics, intermolecular (from Latin inter , 'in between') describes a process (such as a chemical reaction) that takes place between two or more different molecules.

Examples of such processes are:

• most chemical reactions ,
• Intermolucular hydrogen bonds (see quaternary structure of proteins ).

Dehydration of acetic acid to acetic anhydride - an intermolecular reaction.

In chemical compounds, the intermolecular interactions between the individual molecules determine many macroscopic properties, such as melting point , boiling point , hardness , solubility , etc.

Intramolecular

Synthesis of Phthalic Anhydride, an Intramolecular Reaction

With intramolecularly (from latin intra , within ') on the other hand refers to an operation within a single molecule expires.

Examples of such processes are:

• Splitting of a molecule into its atoms (see e.g. hydrogen ),
• Intramolecular anhydride formation (see phthalic anhydride ),
• Intramolecular redox reaction , e.g. B. see Formation of laughing gas ( nitrous oxide N ₂ O) from ammonium nitrate , or explosion of ammonium nitrate during initial ignition
• Intramolecular carboxylic acid esters ( lactones ) or carboxamides ( lactams ),
• Intramolecular hydrogen bonds (see proteins ).

In proteins and other macromolecules such as nucleic acids ( DNA , RNA ) or polysaccharides , the intramolecular interactions through secondary and tertiary structure are the cause of the spatial shape of the molecules.

See also

• Molecular biology
• Molecular physics

Web links

Wiktionary: molecular  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Wiktionary: intermolecular  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Wiktionary: intramolecular  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Entry on Intermolecular. In: Römpp Online . Georg Thieme Verlag, accessed on September 22, 2015.
2. ↑ Entry on intramolecular. In: Römpp Online . Georg Thieme Verlag, accessed on September 22, 2015.