Term: solvent-induced symmetry breaking https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.ST07478 Definition: Breaking of symmetry of a molecular species by interactions with the solvent that can modify the molecular charge distribution, to favour asymmetrical configurations. Note: An example is the stabilization by a @P04717@ of a light-induced charge transfer state in a symmetric donor–acceptor–donor system. Related Terms: 1) polar solvent (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04717). Source: PAC, 2007, 79, 293. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry, 3rd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2006)' on page 422 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779030293) Citation: 'solvent-induced symmetry breaking' 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.ST07478 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.