Distomer

Distomer

The distomer is an enantiomer in an optically active compound. It is often the case that only a single one of the enantiomers contains all of the wanted bioactivity, the distomer is often less active, has no disired activity or may even be toxic.[1]

In some cases the eudysmic ratio is so high that it is desired to separate out the two enantiomers instead of leaving it as a racemic product.

It is often possible that the distomer is not simply completely inactive and actually antagonizes the effects of the eutomer.

References

  1. ^ E. J. Ariëns (1984). "Stereochemistry, a basis for sophisticated nonsense in pharmacokinetics and clinical pharmacology". Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 26 (6): 663–668. PMID 6092093.