Stereochemical configuration

Stereochemical configuration refers to the specific three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule, which affects how it interacts with other molecules. Imagine two molecules that are mirror images of each other, like left and right hands; these are known as enantiomers. The spatial orientation of their atoms determines their properties and how they behave chemically and biologically. Understanding stereochemical configuration is essential in fields like drug design, where small differences in structure can significantly impact a compound’s effectiveness or safety.