tautomerism
/tɔˈtɑmərɪzəm/
noun
- The ability of a chemical compound to exist in two or more forms that can easily change into each other by moving a hydrogen atom and a double bond.
- Tautomerism is common in organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group next to a hydroxyl group.
- Keto-enol tautomerism is the most well-known type of tautomerism.
- The study of tautomerism helps chemists predict how molecules will behave in reactions.