enantiomer

(noun)

One of a pair of stereoisomers that is the mirror image of the other, but may not be superimposed on this other stereoisomer.

Related Terms

  • stereoisomer
  • chirality

Examples of enantiomer in the following topics:

  • Organic Enantiomers

    • Enantiomers are two optical isomers (i.e. isomers that are reflections of each other).
    • Enantiomers of each other often show different chemical reactions with other substances that are also enantiomers.
    • Since many molecules in the bodies of living beings are enantiomers themselves, there is sometimes a marked difference in the effects of two enantiomers on living beings.
    • In drugs, for example, often only one of a drug's enantiomers is responsible for the desired physiologic effects, while the other enantiomer is less active, inactive, or sometimes even responsible for adverse effects.
    • D-alanine and L-alanine are examples of enantiomers or mirror images.
  • Organic Isomers

    • (c) Enantiomers are mirror images of each other.
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