stereoisomerism

From stereo- +‎ isomerism.

• IPA^(key): /ˌstɛɹɪəʊaɪˈsɒməɹɪzəm/
• Hyphenation: ste‧re‧o‧i‧som‧er‧is‧m

stereoisomerism (countable and uncountable, plural stereoisomerisms)

1. (chemistry) A form of isomerism in which atoms are arranged differently about a chiral centre (or centre of asymmetry). They exhibit optical activity, and in a molecule with a single chiral centre the two isomers (enantiomers) are mirror images of each other whereas in a molecule with multiple chiral centres the isomers (diastereoisomers) are not normally mirror images.

   Synonym: optical isomerism

• structural isomerism
• geometric isomerism