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epimer
This term is used exclusively within the specialized fields of stereochemistry and biochemistry. It describes a specific relationship between two molecules that are almost identical, except for the spatial arrangement of atoms around a single chiral carbon. This makes it a subcategory of diastereomers.
In a laboratory or academic setting, the term is most frequently encountered when discussing carbohydrates, such as the relationship between glucose and galactose. Because it describes a relationship between two entities, it is used to categorize the structural difference rather than to describe a general property of a single molecule.
Meanings
A diastereomer that differs from another stereoisomer at only one chiral center.
Glucose and galactose are examples of an epimer, differing only at the C-4 position.
Examples
This is an epimer.
It is a simple epimer.
The epimer is stable.
The two sugars are an epimer.
We found a new epimer today.
He studied the epimer for hours.
The student identified the epimer in class.
This epimer affects the drug efficacy.
The lab technician isolated the specific epimer.
The research paper discusses the C-2 epimer.
Enzymatic conversion produced the desired epimer.
Ancient texts omit the discovery of this epimer.