molecules of different conformation prefer different reaction pathways

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An example of anthropomorphism in science journalism:

"Two conformers of 2-formylphenylnitrene can undergo … different quantum tunnelling processes, leading to two different products… Despite the isomerisation having an extremely low energy barrier, the syn and the anti conformers prefer different, separate pathways: they rearrange into a 2,1-benzisoxazole and an imino-ketene, respectively."

Katrina Krämer

Katrina Krämer (Senior science correspondent), 2022: Unprecedented simultaneous quantum tunnelling reaction discovered, Chemistry World

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