enantiomer

/ɪˈnæntiːoʊmər/ /ɪˈnænʃioʊmər/

Meanings

noun

One of a pair of stereoisomers that is the mirror image of the other, but may not be superimposed on this other stereoisomer. Almost always, a pair of enantiomers contain at least one chiral center, and a sample of either enantiomer will be optically active.

Examples :

"The drug ibuprofen exists as two enantiomers, but only one of them effectively reduces pain. "

Related Words

mirror noun

/ˈmɘ.ɹɘ/ /ˈmɪ.ɹə/ /ˈmiɹ.ɚ/

A smooth surface, usually made of glass with reflective material painted on the underside, that reflects light so as to give an image of what is in front of it.

"I had a look in the mirror to see if the blood had come off my face."

effectively adverb

/ɪˈfɛktɪvli/ /əˈfɛktɪvli/

In an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect.

"The teacher effectively explained the complex math problem, making it easier for the students to understand. "

stereoisomers noun

/ˌsteriːoʊaɪˈsɑːmɚz/ /ˌsterioʊaɪˈsɑːmərz/

One of a set of the isomers of a compound that exhibits stereoisomerism

"Because the two molecules have the same atoms and bonds, but arranged differently in space, they are stereoisomers. "

almost noun

/ɔːl.ˈməʊst/ /ˈɑl.moʊst/

Something or someone that doesn't quite make it.

"In all the submissions, they found four papers that were clearly worth publishing and another dozen almosts."

chiral adjective

/ˈkaɪɹəl/

Of an object that exhibits chirality, as in the left-handed and right-handed versions of a helix.

"The scientist studied the chiral molecules in the lab, carefully distinguishing the left-handed and right-handed forms. "

reduces verb

/ɹɪˈdjuːsɪz/ /ɹɪˈdusɪz/

To bring down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something; to diminish, to lower.

"to reduce weight, speed, heat, expenses, price, personnel etc."

superimposed verb

/ˌsupərɪmˈpoʊzd/ /ˌsupərɪmˈpoʊst/

To place an object over another object, usually in such a way that both will be visible.

"He superimposed the company logo over the image."

always adverb

/ˈɔː(l).weɪz/ /ˈɔl.weɪz/

At all times; throughout all time; since the beginning.

"Airplanes did not always exist as a form of transportation."

stereoisomer noun

/ˌsteriːoʊaɪˈsɑːmər/ /ˌsterioʊaɪˈsɑːmər/

One of a set of the isomers of a compound that exhibits stereoisomerism

""Even though they have the same chemical formula, one stereoisomer of limonene smells like oranges, while the other smells like lemons." "

ibuprofen noun

/ˈaɪ.bɹʊˌfən/ /ˌaɪ.bjuːˈpɹoʊ.fən/

An NSAID, isobutylphenyl propionic acid.

"I took ibuprofen for my headache. "

enantiomers noun

/ɪˈnæntiəmərz/ /iˈnæntiəmərz/

One of a pair of stereoisomers that is the mirror image of the other, but may not be superimposed on this other stereoisomer. Almost always, a pair of enantiomers contain at least one chiral center, and a sample of either enantiomer will be optically active.

"Because one enantiomer of the drug ibuprofen relieves pain effectively, while the other enantiomer is less active, chemists work to produce medicine with only the more effective form. "

contain verb

/kənˈteɪn/

To hold inside.

"The box contains several important documents. "