Term: oligo
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04282

Definition:
A prefix meaning 'a few', and used for compounds with a number of repeating units intermediate between those in monomers and those in high polymers. The limits are not precisely defined, and in practice vary with the type of structure being considered, but are generally from 3 to 10, e.g. oligopeptides, oligosaccharides.

Related Terms:
1) oligopeptides (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04288).
2) oligosaccharides (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04289).

Source: PAC, 1995, 67, 1307. 'Glossary of class names of organic compounds and reactivity intermediates based on structure (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 1353 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567081307)

Citation: 'oligo' 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.O04282

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