Term: stereochemical non-rigidity
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.ST07107

Definition:
The capability of a molecule to undergo fast and reversible intramolecular isomerization, the energy barrier to which is lower than that allowing for the preparative isolation of the individual isomers at room temperature. It is conventional to assign to the sterochemically non-rigid systems those compounds whose molecules rearrange rapidly enough to influence NMR line shapes at temperatures within the practical range (from -100°C to 200°C) of experimentation. The energy barriers to thus defined rearrangements fall into the range of 5–20 kcal/mol (21–85 kJ/mol).

Related Terms:
1) intramolecular (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03130).
2) isomerization (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03295).

Source: PAC, 1999, 71, 1919. 'Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry' on page 1964 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199971101919)

Citation: 'stereochemical non-rigidity' 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.ST07107

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