Answer to Question #87059 in Biochemistry for Arun Rawat

Question

a) Explain the following giving suitable examples:
i) Enantiomers
ii) Diastereomers
iii) Meso compounds

Answer 1

1.In chemistry, an enantiomer is a special kind of isomer. It is a molecule that looks exactly like another one when viewed in a mirror. The subject of mirror-image chemicals is known as chirality. More information: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Organic_Chemistry)/Fundamentals/Isomerism_in_Organic_Compounds/Enantiomers

2.Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are not related as object and mirror image and are not enantiomers. Unlike enatiomers which are mirror images of each other and non-sumperimposable, diastereomers are not mirror images of each other and non-superimposable. Diastereomers can have different physical properties and reactivity. They have different melting points and boiling points and different densities. They have two or more stereocenters. More information: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Organic_Chemistry)/Chirality/Diastereomers

3.Meso compounds are achiral compounds that has multiple chiral centers. It is superimposed on its mirror image and is optically inactive despite its stereocenters. More information: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Organic_Chemistry)/Chirality/Meso_Compounds