General formula

From Fresh Dictionary

English

Noun phrase

general formula

1. ((chemistry{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) the molecular formula of a class of compounds in which actual numbers are represented by x, n etc., and organic radicals are represented as R_n

   Example 1. The general formula for saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons is C_nH_2n+2 and the molecular formula for propane is C₃H₈

   Example 2. The general formula for alcohols is R-OH and the molecular formula for methanol is CH₃-OH