Enantiomer — Definition, Formula, Properties & Uses | AllChemicals | AllChemicals

What is Enantiomer?

Enantiomers are pairs of stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, differing only in the spatial arrangement of atoms around one or more chiral centers. They have identical physical and chemical properties in achiral environments but rotate plane-polarized light in opposite directions — one dextrorotatory (+) and the other levorotatory (−). Enantiomers can exhibit dramatically different biological activities, which is critically important in pharmaceutical chemistry.

Key Facts

Term Enantiomer

Index All "E" terms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Enantiomer?

Enantiomers are pairs of stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, differing only in the spatial arrangement of atoms around one or more chiral centers. They have identical physical and chemical properties in achiral environments but rotate plane-polarized light in opposite directions — one dextrorotatory (+) and the other levorotatory (−). Enantiomers can exhibit dramatically different biological activities, which is critically important in pharmaceutical chemistry.

More "E" Terms

1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide C8H18ClN3 2-Ethoxyethanol C4H10O2 Effective Collisions Effective Collisions E ≥ Ea (activation energy required) Effective Molality m_eff = i × m (van't Hoff factor) Effective Nuclear Charge Z_eff = Z − σ (Slater's rules) Efflorescence Hydrated salt losing water in air: M·nH₂O(s) → M·(n-x)H₂O(s) + xH₂O(g) Einsteinium Es Electrical Conductivity κ = 1/ρ; Λm = κ/c Electrochemical Cell Galvanic cell: ΔG = −nFE_cell; Electrolytic cell: ΔG = +nFE_applied Electrochemical Series Arranged by E° (standard reduction potential); SHE: E° = 0.00 V Electrochemistry E° cell = E° cathode − E° anode | ΔG° = −nFE°

View all "E" terms →