TAUTOMER Meaning and
Definition
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A tautomer is a type of isomer, which refers to two or more molecules that have the same molecular formula but differ in the arrangement of their atoms or connectivity. Specifically, a tautomer is a pair of isomers that exist in equilibrium with each other through a reversible chemical reaction, wherein the movement of a hydrogen atom (proton) between atoms or groups leads to the transformation of one isomer into the other.
Tautomers can exist in different forms, known as tautomeric forms, the interconversion of which is facilitated by the process of tautomerization. This process typically occurs rapidly under certain conditions, such as changes in temperature or pH.
The two tautomeric forms of a tautomer usually differ in the location of a hydrogen atom, which can be located on different atoms or functional groups within the molecule. Consequently, this shift of the hydrogen atom induces changes in the electronic structure and overall chemical properties of the tautomers.
Tautomers often exhibit distinct reactivity or chemical behavior due to the presence of different functional groups or electronic configurations. This can result in diverse chemical reactions or phenomena, including altered biological activity, different bonding patterns, and varying spectroscopic properties.
Tautomers are widely studied in disciplines such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medicinal chemistry, as understanding their interconversion and behavior is crucial for elucidating reaction mechanisms, designing drugs, and predicting molecular behavior.
Common Misspellings for TAUTOMER
- rautomer
- fautomer
- gautomer
- yautomer
- 6automer
- 5automer
- tzutomer
- tsutomer
- twutomer
- tqutomer
- taytomer
- tahtomer
- tajtomer
- taitomer
- ta8tomer
- ta7tomer
- tauromer
- taufomer
- taugomer
- tauyomer
Etymology of TAUTOMER
The word "tautomer" is derived from Greek. It comes from the combination of two Greek words: "tautos" meaning "the same" and "meros" meaning "part". The term was coined in the late 19th century by the German chemist Ludwig Claisen to describe a phenomenon in which two or more isomeric compounds exist in equilibrium, differing only in the placement of a hydrogen atom or a double bond. These compounds are referred to as tautomers, as they share the same molecular formula but have different structural arrangements.
