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What are enantiomers?
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What are enantiomers? - JEE

An enantiomer is one of the two molecules that are mirror images of each other and are non-superposable.

Enantiomers have identical chemical and physical properties except for their ability to rotate plane-polarized light (+/-) by equal amounts but in opposite directions. Enantiomers interact differently with other chiral molecules i.e. biologically active molecules as aminoacids, sugars, steroids etc. This means that some molecules have, for example, different odours. Limonene is just such a case.

Two chemical structures of mirror-image molecules, i.e. enantiomers, which cannot be superimposed. D-(+)-limonene (left) and L-(-)-limonene (right)

Enantiomeric excess (ee) is a measure of composition of a mixture of enantiomers. It can be calculated using formula:

ee = ((R-S)/(R+S)) with R and S, respectively amounts of enantiomer (R) and (S).

It’s an important characteristic since it’s difficult to obtain specifically one enantiomer for the chemist. Indeed, contrary to reactions existing in the nature, this class of compounds is often obtained as a mixture of each form in a laboratory. So, an ee of 100% correspond to a perfectly pure enantiomer whereas ee = 0% describe a mixture with enantiomers of each configuration in an equal amount.

Enantiomeric ratio (er) is a proportion of enantiomer in a mixture. For the historical reasons more often is used measure of Enantiomer excess.

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FAQs on What are enantiomers? - JEE

1. What is the definition of enantiomers?
Enantiomers are pairs of molecules that are mirror images of each other but are not superimposable. They have the same chemical formula and connectivity but differ in their spatial arrangement.
2. How are enantiomers related to chiral molecules?
Enantiomers are a type of chiral molecule. Chiral molecules are those that do not possess an internal plane of symmetry and exist in two non-superimposable mirror image forms, known as enantiomers.
3. Why are enantiomers important in pharmaceuticals?
Enantiomers can exhibit different biological activities or pharmacological effects in the human body. This means that even though enantiomers have the same chemical formula, they may have different therapeutic properties. Therefore, it is crucial to separate and analyze enantiomers in pharmaceutical development to ensure the desired therapeutic effect.
4. How can enantiomers be separated in a laboratory setting?
Enantiomers can be separated using various techniques such as chiral chromatography or by utilizing chiral resolving agents. Chiral chromatography involves using a stationary phase that selectively interacts with one enantiomer more than the other, allowing for their separation. Chiral resolving agents can react with enantiomers to form diastereomers, which can then be separated using traditional methods.
5. Can enantiomers have different physical properties?
Yes, enantiomers can have different physical properties such as melting point, boiling point, or optical rotation. However, they will have identical properties in terms of solubility, density, and refractive index since these properties are not influenced by the spatial arrangement of the molecules.
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