Sudden polarization

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011540",
  "term": "Sudden polarization",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "Strong charge separation inside a polyene or related molecule that appears in its excited singlet state after the molecule has twisted about a double bond. At a 90 degree twist, the excited singlet state of ethene can adopt a zwitterionic structure, and the polarization grows when one methylene group pyramidalizes or the substituents are unsymmetrical.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "charge separation",
    "excited state",
    "intramolecular"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1999, 71, 1919. 'Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry' on page 1964 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199971101919)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/sudden-polarization/"
}