🥼organic chemistry review

Tautomer

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Tautomerism is a phenomenon in organic chemistry where molecules with the same molecular formula exist in multiple forms by the relocation of a proton and a shift in double bond position. These different forms, known as tautomers, interconvert rapidly under normal conditions.