How would you define enantiomers?

Question

Emilia Alvarez · Accepted Answer

Enantiomers are chiral molecules that (i) are mirror images of each other, and (ii) cannot be superimposed upon each other.

Are you wearing gloves? If so, is it possible for the left and right gloves to overlap (i.e., occupy the same space)? This is impossible unless you flip one of the gloves inside out. Alternatively, have you ever worn your left shoe inside your right hoof and found it comfortable? They are exactly the same structurally and chemically, so why can't they superimpose? Their handed geometry prevents it. What occurs in the macro world with gloves and shoes, also occurs in the micro world with molecules. It turns out that a carbon atom (or any so-called chiral centre) that has 4 different substituents, i.e. #CR_1R_2R_3R_4#, has 2 optical antipodes such that one form is the mirror image of the other, and the isomers cannot be superimposed. The finest example of handedness in biochemistry is found in the sugar you sprinkle on your cornflakes; it comes from a natural source and has a specific chirality or handedness. Recall that I stated two requirements for enantiomers in the opening spray, and BOTH need to be met.

Easton Jones · Answer

undefined Enantiomers are stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. They have the same connectivity of atoms but differ in their spatial arrangement, resulting in chiral molecules.