noun
- One of two or more stereoisomers of a compound that are not mirror images of each other.
Usage: chemistry; organic chemistry term
Examples
- The two diastereomers of tartaric acid have different physical and chemical properties.
- Unlike enantiomers, diastereomers are not mirror images and can be separated by standard chromatography.
- The drug contains a mixture of diastereomers that must be separated for pharmaceutical use.
- Diastereomers have different melting points and solubilities in the same solvent.
- The synthesis produced both diastereomers, which required careful separation and analysis.