tautomerism

[ taw-tom-uh-riz-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. the ability of certain organic compounds to react in isomeric structures that differ from each other in the position of a hydrogen atom and a double bond.

tautomerism

/ tɔːˈtɒməˌrɪzəm; ˌtɔːtəˈmɛrɪk /

noun

1. the ability of certain chemical compounds to exist as a mixture of two interconvertible isomers in equilibrium See also keto-enol tautomerism

Derived Forms

• tautomeric, adjective

Other Words From

• tau·to·mer·ic [taw-t, uh, -, mer, -ik], adjective
• nontau·to·meric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tautomerism¹

First recorded in 1880–85; tauto- + (iso)merism

Word History and Origins

Origin of tautomerism¹

C19: from tauto- + isomerism