pyrrole

[ pi-rohl, pir-ohl ]

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.

pyrrole

/ pɪˈrɒlɪk; 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: C 4 H 5 N Also calledazole

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: C 4 H 5 N.

Derived Forms

• pyrrolic, adjective

Other Words From

• pyr·rol·ic [pi-, rol, -ik, -, roh, -lik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrrole¹

1825–35; irregular < Greek pyrr ( hós ) red + -ole ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrrole¹

C19: from Greek purrhos red, from pur fire + -ole ¹

Example Sentences

In this case, a chemical group called a pyrrole-2-carbonyl acts as a rotor that revolves above a stationary group called a phenyl-2-carbonyl.

From Science Magazine