Conversion (chemistry)

In chemistry, the phrase conversion has several meanings

• specifically the property 'X' related to the yield 'Y' by multiplication with the selectivity 'S', i.e. the mathematical definition X(conversion) * S(selectivity) = Y(yield), all calculated on a molar basis; e.g. in a certain reaction, 90% of substance A is converted (consumed), but only 80% of it is converted to the desired substance B and 20% to undesired by-products, so conversion of A is 90%, selectivity for B 80% and yield of substance B 72% (= 90% * 80%)

• in a general sense the action of a chemical reaction, e.g. the conversion of molecule A to molecule B; note that in this general sense, conversion rate would be synonymous with reaction rate