Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

deuteration

noun

/ˌdjuːtəˈreɪʃən/

Definition

The process of replacing hydrogen atoms in a molecule with deuterium atoms.

Examples

The deuteration of organic compounds can alter their reactivity and stability.
In studying protein structures, researchers often employ deuteration to improve NMR spectroscopy results.
Deuteration has applications in the field of drug discovery, where it can lead to more effective medications.

Meaning

Deuteration is used in various scientific fields, particularly in chemistry and biochemistry, to trace the behavior of molecules or to study reaction mechanisms.