Talk:n-heptane

Deletion debate

The following information passed a request for deletion.

This discussion is no longer live and is left here as an archive. Please do not modify this conversation, but feel free to discuss its conclusions.

---

n-heptane

The n stands for normal. This is normal heptane and so simply duplicates the correct entry. I wonder if there are any more like this? I'll bring them here if I find any. -- ALGRIF talk 11:28, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Keep; even if the n does stand for normal, n-heptane is still a word that people might want to look up.--Prosfilaes 20:02, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Keep. It's a synonym of heptane. There is no reason to retain a single word for each sense, and to exclude all its synonyms. Lmaltier 21:44, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

So you'd keep CH₃(CH₂)₅CH₃, then, Lmaltier, too, another synonym of heptane? And you'd keep seed of a cotton plant, synonym of cottonseed?​—msh210℠ (talk) 23:10, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

I'd keep all words. Clearly, seed of a cotton plant is not a word. Lmaltier 06:58, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

Possibly the first if cited with use in running text, although being formulaic I could just as easily live without. Keep n-heptane because n standing for "normal" does not jump out at me. I don't believe it's a standard chemical abbreviation. DAVilla 05:54, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

In the last twenty years at bgc "n-heptane" seems almost as common as "heptane". Even if they are always exact synonyms (which I wonder about), I can't see why it should be deleted. DCDuring TALK 23:39, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

I'm easy either way, in reality. But to clarify a little, the "n" indicates that it is the normal, straight chain isomer, which is what is assumed by heptane (or any other x-ane). Any variation on the straight chain isomer is then noted by the nomenclature. So it's a bit like saying non-caffeine-free coffee. -- ALGRIF talk 12:33, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

Don't get all prescriptivist on us about usage. The important difference is that "non-caffeine-free coffee" is exceeding rare (not found via Google on the Web), whereas "n-heptane" is common and increasingly so. DCDuring TALK 14:09, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

Eh?? Wot?? I s-said "I'm easy either way, in reality." and to help those who expressed a slight lack of understanding, I explained a bit about what the "n" actually meant, in a kind of h-helpful e-educative way. Heaven forfend that I ever p-prescribe. Cheers, and a big :-) -- ALGRIF talk 15:53, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

I added an etymology section, which explains the meaning of and rationale for the letter n. I also added "heptane" as alternative form. I guess it could as well be in the synonyms-section, if that should feel better. I think we should keep this as it is a widely used word for "heptane". --Hekaheka 10:08, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

Looks good to me. Striking. And adding n-x-anes that show common usage. Thanks all. -- ALGRIF talk 15:46, 24 February 2011 (UTC)