https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01480
In a
chemical reaction
that yields one product (X) from one conformational
isomer
(A') and a different product (Y) from another conformational
isomer
(A'') (and provided these two isomers are rapidly interconvertible relative to the rate of product formation, whereas the products do not undergo interconversion) the product composition is not in direct proportion to the relative concentrations of the conformational isomers in the
substrate
; it is controlled only by the difference in standard free energies (δΔG) of the respective
transition states
.
It is also true that the product composition is formally related to the relative concentrations of the conformational isomers A' and A'' (i.e. the conformational
equilibrium constant
) and the respective rate constants of their reactions; these parameters are generally — though not invariably — unknown. The diagram below represents the energetic situation for
transformation
of interconverting isomers A and A' into products X and Y.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1102 [Terms] [Paper]