Stereoisomer: meaning, definitions and examples

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stereoisomer

 

[ ˌsterēōˈīsəmər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemistry

A stereoisomer is a compound that has the same molecular formula as another compound, but differs in the spatial arrangement of atoms. Stereoisomers can be further classified into enantiomers and diastereomers.

Synonyms

isomer, stereoisomeric compound

Examples of usage

  • Both enantiomers of the drug have different pharmacological effects.
  • The two compounds are stereoisomers, but they have different physical properties.
Context #2 | Noun

organic chemistry

A stereoisomer is a molecule with the same structural formula as another molecule, but with a different arrangement of atoms in space. Stereoisomers can have different physical and chemical properties.

Synonyms

geometric isomer, stereoisomeric compound

Examples of usage

  • The cis and trans isomers are examples of stereoisomers.
  • Stereoisomers have the same connectivity but different spatial arrangements.

Translations

Translations of the word "stereoisomer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estereoisômero

🇮🇳 स्थिरिओसमर

🇩🇪 Stereoisomer

🇮🇩 stereoisomer

🇺🇦 стереоізомер

🇵🇱 stereoizomer

🇯🇵 立体異性体 (りったいいせいたい)

🇫🇷 stéréoisomère

🇪🇸 estereoisómero

🇹🇷 stereoisomer

🇰🇷 입체 이성질체

🇸🇦 متصاوغ فراغي

🇨🇿 stereoisomer

🇸🇰 stereoisomér

🇨🇳 立体异构体 (lìtǐ yìgòu tǐ)

🇸🇮 stereoisomer

🇮🇸 stereóísómer

🇰🇿 стереоизомер

🇬🇪 სტერეოიზომერი

🇦🇿 stereoisomer

🇲🇽 estereoisómero

Word origin

The term 'stereoisomer' originated from the Greek words 'stereos' meaning solid and 'isomer' meaning equal in position. It was first introduced in the field of chemistry to describe compounds with the same molecular formula but different spatial arrangements of atoms. The concept of stereoisomerism has since become fundamental in organic chemistry and biochemistry, playing a crucial role in understanding molecular structure and function.

See also: isomer.