chiral
A molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image. Typically a carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or molecules., Two mirror-image forms, that are not superimposable (enantiomers).
Chiral is a term used in chemistry to describe a molecule that is non-superimposable on its mirror image. In other words, a chiral molecule cannot be rotated or translated in such a way that it will line up exactly with its mirror image. This property arises due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon atom or chiral center in the molecule, which has four different substituent groups attached to it.
Chirality is an important concept in many areas of chemistry, particularly in biochemistry and pharmaceuticals, where the chirality of a molecule can affect its biological activity. For example, the two enantiomers (mirror images) of thalidomide have drastically different effects on human development, with one enantiomer causing birth defects and the other being an effective sedative. As a result, the pharmaceutical industry has developed methods for synthesizing and separating enantiomers to ensure that drugs are safe and effective.
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