Diastereomer

Definition

Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other and have multiple chiral centers. They differ in the configuration at one or more (but not all) of these chiral centers.

Related terms

Stereoisomer:

Molecules that have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space.

Enantiomer:

A type of stereoisomer that is a non-superimposable mirror image of another molecule, having exactly opposite configurations at all chiral centers.

Chiral Center:

A carbon atom that has four different groups attached to it, giving rise to non-superimposable mirror image molecules