isomerization

isomerization

* * *

      the chemical process by which a compound is transformed into any of its isomeric forms, i.e., forms with the same chemical composition but with different structure or configuration and, hence, generally with different physical and chemical properties. An example is the conversion of butane, a hydrocarbon with four carbon atoms joined in a straight chain, to its branched-chain isomer, isobutane, by heating the butane to 100° C or higher in the presence of a catalyst. Butane and isobutane have widely different properties. Butane boils at -0.5° C and freezes at -138.3° C, whereas isobutane boils at -11.7° C and freezes at -159.6° C. More important from the commercial standpoint, branched-chain hydrocarbons are better motor fuels than their straight-chain isomers. The isomerization of straight-chain hydrocarbons to their corresponding branched-chain isomers is an important step (called reforming) in gasoline manufacture. There are numerous other examples of isomerization reactions of great industrial importance.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • isomerization — isomerization. См. изомеризация. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • isomerization — izomerizacija statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Vieno izomero virtimas kitu. atitikmenys: angl. isomerization rus. изомеризация …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • isomerization — noun see isomerize …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • isomerization — noun the conversion of a compound into a different isomeric form …   Wiktionary

  • isomerization — A process in which one isomer is formed from another, as in the action of isomerases. enzyme i. reversible changes in enzyme conformation. * * * isom·er·iza·tion (i som″ər ĭ zaґshən) the process whereby any isomer, whether… …   Medical dictionary

  • isomerization — 1. A refining process which alters the fundamental arrangement of atoms in the molecule. Used to convert normal butane into isobutane, an alkylation process feedstock, and normal pentane and hexane into isopentane and isohexane, high octane… …   Petroleum refining glossary

  • isomerization — n. conversion into an isomer (chemical compound which has identical characteristics of another compound but differs in molecular structure) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Isomerization —   A refining process that alters the fundamental arrangement of atoms in the molecule without adding or removing anything from the original material. Used to convert normal butane into isobutane (C4), an alkylation process feedstock, and normal… …   Energy terms

  • isomerization — isom·er·i·za·tion …   English syllables

  • isomerization — noun the conversion of a compound into an isomer of itself • Syn: ↑isomerisation • Derivationally related forms: ↑isomerise (for: ↑isomerisation), ↑isomerize • Hypernyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”