beta-lactam

English

Etymology

From beta +‎ lactam, where beta refers to the position of the carbon atom to which the nitrogen is attached.

Alternative forms

• β-lactam
• betalactam

Noun

beta-lactam (plural beta-lactams)

1. (organic chemistry) A lactam having a four-membered ring structure; a structural element of many antibiotics such as penicillin.

Synonyms

• penam

Hypernyms

• lactam

Derived terms

• beta-lactamase
• beta-lactamic

Related terms

• alpha-lactam