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Enantiomer: meaning, definitions and examples

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enantiomer

 

[ ɪˈnæntiəˌmər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemistry

One of a pair of molecules that are mirror images of each other but are not superimposable. Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror images.

Synonyms

mirror-image molecule, optical isomer

Examples of usage

  • Enantiomers have the same physical properties but differ in their chemical reactions.
  • The two enantiomers of a molecule have opposite effects on the human body.
  • In drug development, it is important to consider the effects of both enantiomers of a compound.

Translations

Translations of the word "enantiomer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enantiômero

🇮🇳 एनैन्टीओमर

🇩🇪 Enantiomer

🇮🇩 enantiomer

🇺🇦 енантіомер

🇵🇱 enancjomer

🇯🇵 エナンチオマー

🇫🇷 énantiomère

🇪🇸 enantiómero

🇹🇷 enantiyomer

🇰🇷 에난티오머

🇸🇦 مركب مرافق ضوئي

🇨🇿 enantiomer

🇸🇰 enantiomér

🇨🇳 对映体

🇸🇮 enantiomer

🇮🇸 andhverfa

🇰🇿 энантиомер

🇬🇪 ენანტიომერი

🇦🇿 enantiomer

🇲🇽 enantiómero

Word origin

The term 'enantiomer' comes from the Greek words 'enantios' meaning 'opposite' and 'meros' meaning 'part'. Enantiomers were first described by Louis Pasteur in 1848. The concept of enantiomers is important in chemistry, especially in the field of stereochemistry.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,607 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.