isomerize
/ai'sɔməraiz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To change into an isomer: In chemistry, to undergo a structural rearrangement where a molecule transforms into another molecule with the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms.
- To cause to change into an isomer: To induce or catalyze the process of isomerization in a chemical compound.
Usage and Examples
- Verb (intransitive):
- The molecule can isomerize under UV light. (The molecule undergoes a structural change to become an isomer when exposed to ultraviolet light.)
- This compound tends to isomerize at high temperatures. (This substance changes into its isomer when heated.)
- Verb (transitive):
- The catalyst helps isomerize the straight-chain hydrocarbon into a branched one. (The catalyst causes the linear hydrocarbon to rearrange into a branched isomer.)
- Researchers aim to isomerize the compound to improve its pharmaceutical properties. (Scientists intend to induce isomerization to enhance the drug's characteristics.)
Advanced Usage
- "To isomerize readily": To undergo isomerization easily or with little energy input.
- Some unsaturated fats isomerize readily during high-heat cooking.
- "To be isomerized by": To have the isomerization process caused by a specific agent.
- The substrate was isomerized by the enzyme.
Variants and Related Words
- Isomerization (noun): The process or result of isomerizing.
- The isomerization of glucose to fructose is a key industrial process.
- Isomer (noun): One of two or more compounds with the same formula but a different arrangement of atoms.
- Butane and isobutane are isomers.
- Isomeric (adjective): Relating to or being an isomer.
- The two substances have isomeric structures.
Synonyms
- Convert (in a chemical context): To change from one form to another.
- Rearrange (specifically of molecular structure): To change the order or position of components.
Related Phrases and Contexts
- Cis-trans isomerize: To change between cis and trans geometric isomers.
- The double bond allows the molecule to cis-trans isomerize.
- Photoisomerize: To isomerize as a result of absorbing light.
- The retinal molecule in the eye photoisomerizes when struck by photons.
Verb
- change into an isomer
- cause to change into an isomer