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Glite Dictionary
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stereospecific

stereospecific

9.6
A chemical reaction that gives different products depending on how atoms are arranged
  • adjective
  • /ˌstɛrɪoʊspɪˈsɪfɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estereoespecífico
  • Because the process is stereospecific, changing the reactant's configuration changes the outcome.

Examples

  • The enzyme catalyzed a stereospecific reaction, producing only one isomer of the product.

  • A stereospecific reaction can yield different products.

  • Researchers studied how stereospecific interactions affect the synthesis of pharmaceuticals.

  • The enzyme is stereospecific for the D-isomer.

  • The enzyme catalyzed a stereospecific reaction, producing only one isomer of the product.

  • Because the process is stereospecific, changing the reactant's configuration changes the outcome.

  • Researchers studied how stereospecific interactions affect the synthesis of pharmaceuticals.

Surface Forms

stereospecific positive

Morphology

stereospecific = specific (semi-transparent) = stereo + specific + spec

The prefix 'stereo-' is commonly used in chemistry to denote spatial arrangement, but the specific meaning in this context requires specialized knowledge.

Etymology

The word stereospecific comes from stereo- meaning 'three-dimensional' and specific meaning 'particular'. So a stereospecific reaction gives different results depending on the 3-D shape of the starting molecule.