Term: reconstructive transition
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05205

Definition:
A transition which involves a major reorganization of the crystal structure and a change of local topology, during which primary bonds are broken and reformed so that there is no immediate relationship between the crystal structures of the parent and product phases. Examples: The transition of Mg2SiO4 (olivine) to Mg2SiO4 (spinel); the transition of diamond to graphite.

Related Terms:
1) diamond (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01671).
2) graphite (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02684).

Source: PAC, 1994, 66, 577. 'Definitions of terms relating to phase transitions of the solid state (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 589 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466030577)

Citation: 'reconstructive transition' 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.R05205

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.