How Do You Spell HETEROCHIRAL?

1. Heterochiral is an adjective used to describe a situation where two molecules have different chirality or handedness. Chirality refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule resulting in a non-superimposable mirror image relationship. This property is often observed in organic compounds, particularly those containing asymmetric carbon atoms.

   When two molecules have different chirality, they are said to be enantiomers of each other. Enantiomers are mirror images of one another and cannot be superimposed onto each other, similar to how our left and right hands cannot be exactly matched. In such cases, one molecule is considered to be "left-handed" or "levo-rotatory" (levorotatory or l-enantiomer), while the other is deemed "right-handed" or "dextro-rotatory" (dextrorotatory or d-enantiomer).

   When we use the term "heterochiral," we are emphasizing this dissimilarity between two molecules in terms of their chirality. It signifies that they belong to different enantiomeric forms. It is important to note that heterochirality can have significant implications in various fields, such as pharmacology, where different enantiomers may have distinct biological activities and effects. Therefore, understanding the implications of heterochirality is essential in fields where chirality plays a crucial role.

2. Relating to or referred to the other hand.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for HETEROCHIRAL

The word "heterochiral" is derived from two roots: "hetero-" and "chiral".

1. "Hetero-" comes from the Greek word "heteros", meaning "other" or "different". It is commonly used as a prefix to denote something that is different, varied, or heterogeneous.

2. "Chiral" comes from the Greek word "cheir", which means "hand". In chemistry, chirality refers to the property of an object or molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image. Chiral molecules exist in two distinct forms, known as enantiomers, with their mirror image being non-identical.

Combining these two roots, "heterochiral" refers to a condition where two or more chiral objects or molecules have different chirality or handedness. It describes a situation where the enantiomeric forms are not the same.