What is "heterocyclic compound"

n. a compound containing a heterocyclic ring [syn: heterocyclic, heterocycle]

A heterocyclic compound or ring structure is a cyclic compound that has atoms of at least two different elements as members of its ring(s). Heterocyclic chemistry is the branch of chemistry dealing with the synthesis, properties and applications of these heterocycles. In contrast, the rings of homocyclic compounds consist entirely of atoms of the same element.

Although heterocyclic compounds may be inorganic, most contain at least one carbon. While atoms that are neither carbon nor hydrogen are normally referred to in organic chemistry as heteroatoms, this is usually in comparison to the all-carbon backbone. But this does not prevent a compound such as borazine (which has no carbon atoms) from being labelled "heterocyclic". IUPAC recommends the Hantzsch-Widman nomenclature for naming heterocyclic compounds.