Term: isomerization
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03295

Definition:
A chemical reaction, the principal product of which is isomeric with the principal reactant. An intramolecular isomerization that involves the breaking or making of bonds is a special case of a molecular rearrangement. Isomerization does not necessarily imply molecular rearrangement (e.g. in the case of the interconversion of conformational isomers).

Related Terms:
1) isomeric (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03291).
2) molecular rearrangement (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03997).
3) intramolecular (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03130).

Source: PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1129 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)

Citation: 'isomerization' 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.I03295

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