In chemistry, a heteroatom () is, strictly, any atom that is not carbon or hydrogen.
Organic chemistry
In practice, the term is mainly used more specifically to indicate that non-carbon atoms have replaced carbon in the backbone of the molecular structure. Typical heteroatoms are
nitrogen (N),
oxygen (O),
sulfur (S),
phosphorus (P),
chlorine (Cl),
bromine (Br), and
iodine (I),
as well as the metals
lithium (Li) and
magnesium (Mg).
Proteins
It can also be used with highly specific meanings in specialised contexts. In the description of
protein structure, in particular in the Protein Data Bank file format, a heteroatom record (HETATM) describes an atom as belonging to a small molecule cofactor rather than being part of a
biopolymer chain.
Zeolites
In the context of
, the term
heteroatom refers to partial isomorphous substitution of the typical framework atoms (
silicon,
aluminium, and
phosphorus) by other elements such as
beryllium,
vanadium, and
chromium.
The goal is usually to adjust properties of the material (e.g., Lewis acidity) to optimize the material for a certain application (e.g.,
catalysis).
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