Term: molecular nucleation
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03995

Definition:
The initial crystallization of a small portion of a macromolecule, after which further crystallization is thermodynamically favoured. Molecular nucleation may give rise to a new crystal or increase the size of a pre-existing one.

Related Terms:
1) crystallization (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01434).

Source: Purple Book, 1st ed., p. 85 (http://old.iupac.org/publications/books/author/metanomski.html)

Citation: 'molecular nucleation' 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.M03995

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