Chiral Recognition

Chiral recognition is the ability of a molecule to distinguish between two versions of a similar compound that are mirror images of each other, called enantiomers. These mirror-image molecules have the same chemical makeup but differ in how they interact with other substances, like biological systems. Chiral recognition occurs when a receptor or binding site selectively interacts with one enantiomer over the other, much like a lock fitting a specific key. This selective interaction is crucial in areas like pharmaceuticals, where the different enantiomers of a drug can have distinct effects in the body.