The difference between Enantiomer and Mirror image

When used as nouns, enantiomer means one of a pair of stereoisomers that is the mirror image of the other, but may not be superimposed on this other stereoisomer. almost always, a pair of enantiomers contain at least one chiral center, and a sample of either enantiomer will be optically active, whereas mirror image means an image that is reversed from left to right, as it would appear if seen in a mirror.


check bellow for the other definitions of Enantiomer and Mirror image

  1. Enantiomer as a noun (chemistry):

    One of a pair of stereoisomers that is the mirror image of the other, but may not be superimposed on this other stereoisomer. Almost always, a pair of enantiomers contain at least one chiral center, and a sample of either enantiomer will be optically active.

  1. Mirror image as a noun:

    An image that is reversed from left to right, as it would appear if seen in a mirror; a reflection.