Enantiomer
Enantiomer (pronounced: /ɛˈnænti.oʊ.mər/) is a term used in Chemistry and Pharmacology to describe one of two stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other but are not superimposable. The term originates from the Greek words "enantios" (opposite) and "meros" (part).
Etymology
The term "Enantiomer" was derived from the Greek words "enantios" which means opposite and "meros" which means part. This term was first used in the early 19th century when scientists began to understand the molecular structure and stereochemistry of organic compounds.
Definition
Enantiomers are pairs of molecules that, like left and right hands, are mirror images of each other but cannot be superimposed. They are a type of stereoisomer, a broad category that also includes geometric isomers. Enantiomers have identical physical properties except for the direction in which they rotate polarized light and how they interact with different optical isomers.
Related Terms
- Chirality: A property of a molecule that is non-superimposable on its mirror image.
- Stereoisomer: A type of isomer where the order of the atoms in the two molecules is the same but their arrangement in space is different.
- Optical Isomer: A form of isomerism in which the different isomers rotate plane-polarized light to the left or right.
- Racemic Mixture: A mixture that has equal amounts of left- and right-handed enantiomers of a chiral molecule.
Applications
Enantiomers are crucial in biochemistry and pharmacology as the two enantiomers of a molecule often have different biological activity. For example, one enantiomer of a drug may have the desired therapeutic effect while the other enantiomer is inactive or even harmful.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Enantiomer
- Wikipedia's article - Enantiomer
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