stereoisomerism

Noun. (chemistry) A form of isomerism in which atoms are arranged differently about a chiral centre (or centre of asymmetry); they exhibit optical activity; in a molecule with a single chiral centre the two isomers (enantiomers) are mirror images of each other; in a molecule with multiple chiral centres the isomers (diastereoisomers) are not normally mirror images.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.