Term: structural stability
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.ST07109

Definition:
Within the Born–Oppenheimer (adiabatic) approximation, this is associated with an energy minimum on a potential energy surface. Structural stability implies that any change in the coordinates of the nuclei can only increase the total energy.

Related Terms:
1) adiabatic (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00141).

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

Citation: 'structural stability' 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.ST07109

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