Acene vs. Achene — What's the Difference?

The acenes or polyacenes are a class of organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons made up of linearly fused benzene rings. The larger representatives have potential interest in optoelectronic applications and are actively researched in chemistry and electrical engineering.

An achene (; Greek ἀ, a, privative + χαίνειν, chainein, to gape; also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp) is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not open at maturity).

(organic chemistry) Any polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing a rectilinear arrangement of fused benzene rings.

A small, dry, indehiscent one-seeded fruit with a thin wall, as in a sunflower.

(botany) A small, dry, indehiscent fruit, containing a single seed, as in the buttercup.

A small, dry, indehiscent fruit, containing a single seed, as in the buttercup; - called a naked seed by the earlier botanists.

Small dry indehiscent fruit with the seed distinct from the fruit wall