enantiomer

[ ih-nan-tee-uh-mer ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. either of a pair of optical isomers that are mirror images of each other.

enantiomer

/ ɛnˈæntɪəmə /

noun

1. chem a molecule that exhibits stereoisomerism because of the presence of one or more chiral centres

enantiomer

/ ĭ-năn′tē-ə-mər /

1. Either of two stereoisomers that are mirror images of one another but cannot be superimposed on one another and that rotate the plane of polarized light in opposite directions. Enantiomers usually behave the same chemically but differ in optical behavior and sometimes in how quickly they react with other enantiomers.
2. Also called optical isomer enantiomorph
3. Compare geometric isomer

Word History and Origins

Origin of enantiomer¹

enantio- + -mer

Example Sentences

Moreover, the experiments showed that the selection -- the preference for one or the other enantiomer -- not only occurs during the binding on the cobalt islands, but already beforehand.

From Science Daily

Many biological targets for pharmaceuticals look like right-handed gloves to molecules — only one enantiomer of a molecule will fit into them.

From Nature

The development of methods for synthesizing chiral molecules asymmetrically — predominantly as a single enantiomer — is therefore one of the most important goals in organic and medicinal chemistry.

From Nature

One of these is more effective as a drug than the other, but is difficult to synthesize as a single enantiomer.

From Nature

Such compounds are known as enantiomers - if the pharmaceutically-effective enantiomer becomes its mirror image, this can prevent certain drugs from binding in people's bodies.

From BBC