A transition which involves a major reorganization of the crystal structure and a
change of local topology, during which primary bonds are broken and reformed so that
there is no immediate relationship between the crystal structures of the parent and
product phases. Examples: The transition of
Mg2SiO4 (olivine) to
Mg2SiO4 (spinel); the transition of
diamond to
graphite.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 577
(Definitions of terms relating to phase transitions of the solid state (IUPAC Recommendations
1994))
on page 589