The conversion of a
substrate into a particular product, irrespective of reagents or
mechanisms involved. For example, the transformation of aniline
(
C6H5NH2) into
N-phenylacetamide
(
C6H5NHCOCH3) may be effected
by use of acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride or ketene. A transformation is distinct
from a reaction, the full description of which would state or imply all the reactants
and all the products.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1173