Methine group

Two or more methine bridges can overlap, forming a chain or ring of carbon atoms connected by alternating single and double bonds, as in piperylene , or the compound Every carbon atom in this molecule is a methine carbon atom, except for three; the two that are directly above and attached to the two nitrogen atoms and not to any hydrogen atoms, and the carbon attached to two hydrogen atoms and one nitrogen atom (far right bottom). There is a five-carbon-atom poly-methine chain in the center of this molecule. Chains of alternating single and double bonds often form conjugated systems. When closed, as in benzene , they often give aromatic character to the compound. ==See also==