aliphatic

(ăl'ə-făt'ĭk)
adj.
Of, relating to, or designating a group of organic chemical compounds in which the carbon atoms are linked in open chains.

[From Greek aleiphar, aleiphat-, oil, from aleiphein, to anoint with oil.]

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(ăl'ə-făt'ĭk)
adj.

Of, relating to, or being a group of organic chemical compounds in which the carbon atoms are linked in open chains.

As opposed to aromatic, a chemical compound that does not contain a benzene ring. These include straight-chained, branch-chained, and non-aromatic cyclized compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (also called cyclic aliphatic structures). See Benzene Ring.

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describing organic compounds in which the carbon atoms form open (noncyclic) chains. Compare alicyclic, aromatic.

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1. fatty or oily.
2. pertaining to a hydrocarbon that does not contain an aromatic ring.

• a. organic arsenicals — include the pharmaceuticals—cacodylic, phenarsonic acids and the herbicides—monosodium and disodium methanearsontes. See also organic arsenical.