Definition

Noun: The process by which a chemical compound is transformed into one of its isomers. An isomer is a molecule with the same molecular formula as another molecule but with a different arrangement of atoms, leading to different physical and/or chemical properties. Isomerisation involves the rearrangement of atoms within the molecule without adding or removing any atoms.

Usage

This term is used primarily in scientific contexts, especially in chemistry, biochemistry, and industrial chemical processes. It describes a specific type of chemical reaction.

Examples

• The isomerisation of glucose into fructose is a key step in the production of high-fructose corn syrup.
• Catalysts are often used to increase the rate of isomerisation in petroleum refining.
• The research paper studied the photoinduced isomerisation of the organic compound.

Advanced Usage

• Enantioselective isomerisation: A type of isomerisation that selectively produces one enantiomer (a non-superimposable mirror-image isomer) over the other.
• Cis-trans isomerisation: A common form of isomerisation involving the rearrangement around a double bond, such as in retinal, which is crucial for vision.

Variants and Related Words

• Isomerization (noun): The American English spelling of 'isomerisation'.
• Isomerise (verb, chiefly British): To convert or be converted into an isomer.
  • The compound can isomerise under UV light.
• Isomerize (verb, American): The American English spelling of 'isomerise'.
• Isomer (noun): One of the compounds formed by isomerisation.

Synonyms

• Rearrangement (in a specific chemical context)
• Transformation
• Conversion

Related Phrases

• Structural isomerisation: Isomerisation that results in a change in the connectivity of atoms (structural isomer).
• Stereoisomerisation: Isomerisation that results in a change in the spatial orientation of atoms (stereoisomer), such as cis-trans or optical isomerisation.

Noun

1. the conversion of a compound into an isomer of itself