substituent

[ suhb-stich-oo-uhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Chemistry. an atom or atomic group that takes the place of another atom or group present in the molecule of the original compound.

adjective

having been or capable of being substituted.

substituent

/ sʌbˈstɪtjʊənt /

noun

chem an atom or group that replaces another atom or group in a molecule or can be regarded as replacing an atom in a parent compound

adjective

substituted or substitutable

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Word History and Origins

Origin of substituent¹

1890–95; < Latin substituent- (stem of substituēns ), present participle of substituere to substitute, equivalent to sub- sub- + -stitu-, combining form of statuere to set up, erect ( statue ) + -ent- -ent

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Word History and Origins

Origin of substituent¹

C19: from Latin substituere to substitute

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Example Sentences

Here we have assumed the substituent groups to be alike; when they are unlike, a greater number of isomers is possible.

From Project Gutenberg

substation substitute

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