ENANTIOMERIC Meaning and
Definition
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The term "enantiomeric" refers to a property of chemical compounds or molecules that are mirror images of each other but are non-superimposable. Enantiomers are pairs of structures that have the same connectivity of atoms and bonds, but differ in their three-dimensional arrangement, similar to how our left and right hands are mirror images of one another.
Enantiomeric compounds possess a special type of stereoisomerism known as "enantiomerism," which arises due to the presence of a chiral center in the molecule. A chiral center is an atom, usually carbon, that is bonded to four different groups, resulting in the potential for two different spatial arrangements.
The enantiomers exhibit identical chemical and physical properties, such as melting point, boiling point, and solubility, except for their interaction with plane-polarized light. This characteristic is referred to as optical activity, where one enantiomer rotates the plane of polarized light clockwise (dextrorotatory or +) while the other rotates it counterclockwise (levorotatory or -).
Enantiomeric forms are often denoted by the prefix "R-" (rectus) or "S-" (sinister) to signify their orientation or configuration. The study of enantiomers and their properties is crucial in fields such as pharmacology because enantiomers can exhibit different biological activities or interactions, leading to different therapeutic effects or side effects. Therefore, separating enantiomers or synthesizing specific enantiomeric forms is essential in the development and formulation of chiral drugs or chemical compounds with desired properties.
Etymology of ENANTIOMERIC
The word "enantiomeric" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "enantio" and "meric".
The root "enantio" comes from the Greek word "enantios" (ἐναντίος), meaning "opposite" or "contrary".
The root "meric" comes from the Greek word "meros" (μέρος), which means "part" or "portion".
When combined, "enantiomeric" refers to a property of certain chemical compounds that have mirror-image isomers while sharing the same chemical formula and connectivity. The name accurately reflects the opposite configuration of the isomers.
