Term: desymmetrization https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01623 Definition: 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. Related Terms: 1) chirality (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01058). 2) prochiral (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04859). 3) inversion (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03146). 4) chiral (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01057). Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 2193. 'Basic terminology of stereochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2205 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122193) Citation: 'desymmetrization' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01623 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.