What are enantiomers?
Chiral molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of one another
Enantiomers are pairs of molecules that have the same chemical formula and connectivity but differ in the arrangement of their atoms in space. They are mirror images of each other, like a left hand and a right hand. Enantiomers are stereoisomers, meaning that they have the same chemical formula and connectivity, but the atoms in each molecule are arranged in a different way in three-dimensional space.
Enantiomers can exhibit different physical and chemical properties, such as melting point, boiling point, and optical activity. Optical activity is the ability of a substance to rotate the plane of polarized light, and enantiomers rotate polarized light in opposite directions. Enantiomers also exhibit different biological activities, such as different affinities for receptors, enzymes or other molecules in the body, and different pharmacological effects.
It is important to distinguish between enantiomers because they can have different effects on the body, and only one enantiomer may be effective or safe in a specific application. For example, thalidomide is a drug that was found to have different effects depending on the enantiomer. The R-enantiomer was effective as a sedative, but the S-enantiomer caused birth defects. Therefore, it is important to separate and purify enantiomers in drug development and manufacturing to ensure that only the desired enantiomer is used in the final product.
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