method of isotopic perturbation

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03880
NMR shift difference measurement of the isotope effect on a fast (degenerate) equilibrium between two species which are equivalent except for isotopic substitution. This can be used to distinguish a rapidly equilibrating mixture with time-averaged symmetry from a single structure with higher symmetry.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1132 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)