ENANTIOMERS

• Since two enantiomers are mirror images of each other, they are not distinguished by any physical or chemical means which cannot distinguish mirror images, i.e., which are not themselves chiral (handed, meaning can distinguish left from right).
• Therefore 2 enantiomers have exactly the same energy, solubility in typical achiral solvents, boiling and melting points, NMR and IR spectra, etc.
• Their chemical properties, including both the qualitative reactions and the quantitative rates of reaction are identical when reacting with achiral chemical species.
• In general, then, both chemical and physical properties of 2 enantiomers are exactly identical twoard achiral agents,chemical or physical. ,li>It is important to realize, however, that when 2 enantiome4s react with a pure single enantiomer of another chiral compound, the rates of reaction of the 2 enantiomers will be different (more later).
• Also, one physical property which can distinguish them is "optical activity
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