A LITTLE LIGHTBULB MOMENT
Conformations, chirality and stereochemistry
Enantiomers are mirror-image non-superimposable pair
Sign in to bookmark this concept and add private notes →
Left glove, right glove, same shape, opposite fit
The idea behind the cue
Enantiomers are stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images. They share most physical properties in achiral environments but differ in optical activity and interactions with chiral surroundings.
Practice this flashcard →Make it memorable
Short & simple
Left glove, right glove, same shape, opposite fit
Acronym
MNE — Mischievous Narwhals Exercise.
Story
Two gloves hang on a line. They look nearly identical in a mirror, but one only fits the left hand and the other only fits the right. No amount of turning makes one become the other.
Connect the pieces
- M (Mischievous) → Mirror-image: Enantiomers are mirror-image stereoisomers.
- N (Narwhals) → Non-superimposable: Their mirror images cannot be laid on top of each other to match perfectly.
- E (Exercise) → Enantiomers: This is the pair of mirror-image non-superimposable stereoisomers.
- Mischievous · Mirror-image: Enantiomers are mirror-image stereoisomers.
- Narwhals · Non-superimposable: Their mirror images cannot be laid on top of each other to match perfectly.
- Exercise · Enantiomers: This is the pair of mirror-image non-superimposable stereoisomers.
Know the limits
Enantiomers are only defined as mirror-image pairs; not every stereoisomer is an enantiomer.
Further reading · OpenStax Organic Chemistry ↗Check your understanding
Which statement best describes enantiomers?
A. They are identical molecules with different formulas
B. They differ only in chain length
C. They are any two stereoisomers
D. They are mirror images that cannot be superimposed
Reveal explanation
They are mirror images that cannot be superimposed
Enantiomers are specifically non-superimposable mirror images, not just any stereoisomers.