Solvent-assisted conformational isomerization (SACI) of meta-substituted phenols: Tuning relative stability, isomerization barrier, and IVR rate

► Conformational isomerization occurs in mixed supersonic expansion. ► It is named solvent-assisted conformational isomerization or SACI. ► SACI mechanism was corroborated by studying various meta-substituted phenols. ► Solvent binding energy should be higher than the conformational barrier. ► Inter- and intra-molecular vibrational relaxation should be efficient.