Term: macrocycle
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03662

Definition:
A cyclic macromolecular or a macromolecular cyclic portion of a macromolecule.

Note: In the literature, the term 'macrocycle' is sometimes used for molecules of low molecular mass that would not be considered 'macromolecules' as specified in the definition given in this book.

Related Terms:
1) macromolecular (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03667).
2) chain (note 2) (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00946).

Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 2287. 'Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2298 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122287)

Citation: 'macrocycle' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03662

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