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Derivative (chemistry)
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Chemistry/SrNqkGVm">chemistry</a>, a derivative is a <a href="/facts/Chemical_compound/37FXqqtv">compound</a> that is derived from a similar compound by a <a href="/facts/Chemical_reaction/GpqWlKrz">chemical reaction</a>. </p><p>In the past, derivative also meant a compound that <i>can be imagined to</i> arise from another compound, if one <a href="/facts/Atom/FoQ4kGN5">atom</a> or <a href="/facts/Functional_group/GXkSPsjM">group of atoms</a> is replaced with another atom or group of atoms, but modern chemical language now uses the term <a href="/facts/Structural_analog/3aysWSVG">structural analog</a> for this meaning, thus eliminating ambiguity. The term "structural analogue" is common in <a href="/facts/Organic_chemistry/djxhxaNg">organic chemistry</a>. </p><p>In <a href="/facts/Biochemistry/fa2pWEBp">biochemistry</a>, the word is used for compounds that at least theoretically can be formed from the <a href="/facts/Precursor_(chemistry)/dUw8Mx2Y">precursor</a> compound. </p><p>Chemical derivatives may be used to facilitate analysis. For example, <a href="/facts/Melting_point/MY0w0h0k">melting point</a> (MP) analysis can assist in identification of many organic compounds. A crystalline derivative may be prepared, such as a <a href="/facts/Semicarbazone/cfHoxN5y">semicarbazone</a> or <a href="/facts/2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone/D56HBV1K">2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone</a> (derived from <a href="/facts/Aldehyde/xSIRkW03">aldehydes</a> or <a href="/facts/Ketone/BqQXpLo4">ketones</a>), as a simple way of verifying the identity of the original compound, assuming that a table of derivative MP values is available. Prior to the advent of <a href="/facts/Spectroscopic_analysis/mj71FuNK">spectroscopic analysis</a>, such methods were widely used. </p><p>In <a href="/facts/Analytical_chemistry/MHQf3YP6">analytical chemistry</a>, <a href="/facts/Derivatization/LC8f4qmT">derivatization</a> can be used to convert <a href="/facts/Analyte/qWzKoY8L">analytes</a> into other species for improving detection. For example, <a href="/facts/Chemical_polarity/KlIJ0zjB">polar</a> groups such as <a href="/facts/Amine/JvfYJfP6">N-H</a> or <a href="/facts/Alcohol_(chemistry)/Y0SCTDkh">O-H</a> can be converted into less polar groups. This reaction reduces the <a href="/facts/Boiling_point/E2BK9QoS">boiling point</a> of the molecule, allowing non-<a href="/facts/Volatility_(chemistry)/90r3ep6w">volatile</a> compounds to be analyzed by <a href="/facts/Gas_chromatography/kwLY8vt1">gas chromatography</a>. </p>