Isomerization is a chemical reaction in which a molecule is rearranged into one or more isomers. Isomerization can occur through a variety of mechanisms, including intramolecular rearrangement, addition or elimination of functional groups, and intermolecular reactions. Isomerization is an important process in the synthesis of many compounds, and can be used to convert one form of a compound to another.
Isomerization has been studied extensively in organic chemistry, and is of particular interest in the pharmaceutical industry, where isomers of a given compound may have different biological properties. For example, the cis- and trans-isomers of ibuprofen have different absorption rates, and the cis-isomer is more potent than the trans-isomer. Isomerization can also be used to control the physical properties of compounds, such as solubility or melting point.
There are many methods of isomerization, but the most commonly used are heat-induced and photochemical isomerization. Heat-induced isomerization typically involves the breaking of a covalent bond, leading to the formation of a new isomer. Photochemical isomerization is a type of thermal isomerization that occurs when a molecule absorbs light at a specific wavelength, causing the rearrangement of atoms or functional groups within the molecule.
Isomerization can also be accomplished through the use of catalysts. Catalysts are compounds that speed up chemical reactions, and are often used in isomerization reactions to increase the rate of isomerization and improve the yield of the desired product. Common catalysts for isomerization reactions include acids, bases, and transition metal complexes.
In conclusion, isomerization is an important process in organic chemistry, used to control the physical and chemical properties of compounds. Isomerization can be achieved through a variety of methods, including thermal isomerization, photochemical isomerization, and catalytic isomerization.
References
Frey, J. (2016). Organic Chemistry. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.
Larsen, S. D., & Frey, P. A. (2013). Principles of Drug Action: The Basis of Pharmacology. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Lehninger, A. L., Nelson, D. L., & Cox, M. M. (2008). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. New York, NY: W.H. Freeman and Company.
O’Neil, M. J. (2009). The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co.