Editing Isomerization (section)

{{short description|Transformation of the chemical structure of a molecule or ion}}

In [[chemistry]], '''isomerization''' or '''isomerisation''' is the process in which a [[molecule]], [[polyatomic ion]]   or molecular fragment is transformed into an [[isomer]] with a different [[chemical structure]].<ref>{{GoldBookRef |title= isomerization |file= I03295}}</ref> [[Enolization]] is an example of isomerization, as is [[tautomer]]ization.<ref>{{cite book |author=Antonov L |title=Tautomerism: Concepts and Applications in Science and Technology |edition=1st |publisher=Wiley-VCH |location=Weinheim, Germany |year=2016 |isbn=978-3-527-33995-2}}</ref> 

When the [[activation energy]] for the isomerization reaction is sufficiently small, both isomers can often be observed and the equilibrium ratio will shift in a temperature-dependent [[Chemical equilibrium|equilibrium]] with each other. Many values of the standard [[Thermodynamic free energy|free energy]] difference, <math>\Delta G^\circ</math>, have been calculated, with good agreement between observed and calculated data.<ref>''How to Compute Isomerization Energies of Organic Molecules with Quantum Chemical Methods'' [[Stefan Grimme]], Marc Steinmetz, and Martin Korth [[J. Org. Chem.]]; '''2007'''; 72(6) pp 2118 - 2126; (Article) {{doi|10.1021/jo062446p}}</ref>