What type of isomers can only change by breaking and reforming covalent bonds?

Configurational isomers are types of isomers that cannot be converted into one another without breaking and reforming covalent bonds. These isomers differ in the arrangement of their atoms in space due to the presence of double bonds or rings that restrict rotation. For example, in the case of alkenes, cis and trans isomers (geometric isomers) can often be interconverted through the breaking of the π bond, but configurational isomers such as those with stereocenters require either the breaking of bonds or the addition of specific reagents to achieve interconversion.

Conformational isomers, in contrast, are not as stable as configurational isomers and can freely interconvert through rotations around single bonds without breaking any covalent bonds. Geometric isomers, while being a type of configurational isomer, usually reference a specific arrangement that does not require bond breaking but rather involves reversible spatial orientation due to the presence of restricted rotation around a double bond or a ring. Chiral refers to the property of molecules that are non-superimposable on their mirror images, and while chirality deals with spatial arrangements, it does not specifically address the change due to breaking bonds. Thus, the ability of configurational isomers to only change