enantiomorphic

1 9.9

A shape that is a mirror image of another but cannot match it by turning, like left and right hands

adjective
/ɪˌnæntiˈɔrmɪk/

Specialized

: enantiomórfico

Amorphous fused silica ball; enantiomorphic space group P3(1)21 single crystal alpha-quartz ball; enantiomorphic space group P3(2)21 single crystal alpha-quartz ball.

Examples

Water and ice are enantiomorphic, as one structure is a mirror image of the other, but they cannot be perfectly aligned.
Amorphous fused silica ball; enantiomorphic space group P3(1)21 single crystal alpha-quartz ball; enantiomorphic space group P3(2)21 single crystal alpha-quartz ball.

Blog text (21)
The two enantiomorphic forms of the molecule exhibit distinct properties even though they look similar.
In chemistry, enantiomorphic crystals are fascinating because they demonstrate how mirror-image structures can differ significantly.

Synonyms

mirrored

vsenantiomorphic

18 4.3

Having the same look as in a mirror

refers to a mirror relation that cannot be placed exactly on top

chiral

vsenantiomorphic

Specialized

1 8.6

Something that is not the same as its mirror image, for example a molecule

focuses on exact mirror form that also cannot be superimposed

enantiomeric

vsenantiomorphic

Specialized

1 9.9

A molecule that is a mirror image of another but cannot be placed on top of it to match

is the same idea but also used for crystals as well as molecules

Surface Forms

enantiomorphic positive

Morphology

enantiomorphic = enantiomorph (transparent) = enanti + morph + ic

The adjective is a regular derivation from the noun 'enantiomorph' with the adjectival suffix '-ic', so its relation to the base is straightforward.

Etymology

Enantiomorphic comes from the Greek parts enanti- meaning 'opposite' and -morph meaning 'shape'. Think of left and right hands: they are mirror images but cannot be placed exactly on top of each other, so enantiomorphic describes things like crystals or molecules that are mirror opposites but not identical.