Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

chirality

noun

/kaɪˈræl.ɪ.ti/

Definition

A property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image.

Examples

Many biological molecules, such as amino acids and sugars, exhibit chirality, which is crucial for their functional roles.
The drug’s effectiveness can vary significantly with its chiral forms, underlining the importance of chirality in pharmaceutical chemistry.
When designing materials at the molecular level, chemists often consider chirality to improve performance and compatibility.

Meaning

Chirality refers to the geometric property of some objects that means they cannot be exactly matched to their mirror images, much like how left and right hands are different.