The modification of an object which results in the loss of one or more symmetry elements, such as those which preclude
chirality (mirror plane, centre of
inversion, rotation-reflection axis), as in the conversion of a
prochiral molecular entity into a
chiral one.
Source: PAC, 1996,
68, 2193. (
Basic terminology of stereochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 2205 [
Terms] [
Paper]