diastereomer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowTechnical/scientific
Quick answer
What does “diastereomer” mean?
A stereoisomer that is not a mirror image of another stereoisomer of the same compound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A stereoisomer that is not a mirror image of another stereoisomer of the same compound.
In stereochemistry, diastereomers are molecules that share the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in ways that are not mirror images. They have different physical and chemical properties, unlike enantiomers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
None beyond the strict scientific definition.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to technical chemistry contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “diastereomer” in a Sentence
The compound exists as a pair of diastereomers.X and Y are diastereomers.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “diastereomer” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The diastereomeric mixture was analysed by HPLC.
- Diastereomeric purity is crucial for pharmaceutical activity.
American English
- The diastereomeric mixture was analyzed by HPLC.
- Diastereomeric purity is critical for pharmaceutical activity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in advanced chemistry textbooks, research papers, and lectures on organic chemistry or stereochemistry.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term in synthetic organic chemistry, pharmaceutical development (e.g., drug isomer separation), and analytical chemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “diastereomer”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “diastereomer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “diastereomer”
- Misspelling as 'diastereomer' (missing 'a').
- Confusing diastereomers with enantiomers.
- Using it in non-chemical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, diastereomers can be optically active, but they are not required to be. Their optical activity depends on the presence of chiral centres.
They are separable by standard physical methods like fractional crystallisation, distillation, or chromatography because they have different physical properties.
It is a measurement of purity for a mixture of diastereomers, representing the excess of one diastereomer over the other in a mixture, expressed as a percentage.
No, an epimer is a specific subtype of diastereomer that differs in configuration at only one stereogenic centre, typically used in carbohydrate chemistry.
A stereoisomer that is not a mirror image of another stereoisomer of the same compound.
Diastereomer is usually technical/scientific in register.
Diastereomer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdaɪ.əˈstɛr.i.əʊ.mə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdaɪ.əˈstɛr.i.oʊ.mɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIAstereomers are DIfferent And separable (not mirror images), unlike ENantiomers which are mirror images.
Conceptual Metaphor
Non-identical twins (diastereomers) vs. mirror-image twins (enantiomers).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key difference between diastereomers and enantiomers?