Definition of "straight-chain" []

• Describing any aliphatic compound that contains a chain of carbon atoms all of which are connected to either one or two others. (adjective)

Wiktionary.org : Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

• "Examples of straight-chain molecules are methane, ethane, propane, and butane (gases containing from one to four carbon atoms), and pentane and hexane (liquids with five to six carbon atoms)."
• "The lighter, straight-chain paraffin molecules are found in gases and paraffin waxes."
• "Fats composed of straight-chain saturated fatty acids fall into an ordered solid structure— the process has been described as “zippering”—more readily than do kinked unsaturated fats."