adjective
tertiary
Having a carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms.
The molecule contained a tertiary carbon atom.
Etymology
The Latin adjective means third. Chemistry applies it to a carbon center classified by attachment to three other carbon atoms.
More examples
- A tertiary carbon is bonded to three other carbons.
- The diagram highlighted the tertiary center.
- Students distinguished primary, secondary, and tertiary carbon atoms.
Forms
tertiary
Similar words
- secondary
- A secondary carbon is bonded to two other carbons; a tertiary carbon is bonded to three.
- quaternary
- A quaternary carbon is bonded to four other carbons; tertiary has three.