Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Inversion of configuration: A process in which the configuration of an atom is changed. If the atom in question is a stereocenter, inversion of configuration usually (but not always) changes R absolute configuration into S, and S into R. Inversion of configuration can also convert cis into trans, or trans into cis.

Inversion of configuration, with change in absolute configuration (R-2-bromobutane into S-2-iodobutane).


Inversion of configuration, without change in absolute configuration (R-2-bromo-2-deuterobutane into R-2-deuterobutane).


Inversion of configuration, causing change in relative configuration (cis-4-methyl-bromocyclohexane into trans-4-methyl-iodocyclohexane).