The difference between Enantiomer and Optical isomer

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 optical isomer means any one of a number of compounds that exhibit optical isomerism.


check bellow for the other definitions of Enantiomer and Optical isomer

  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. Optical isomer as a noun (chemistry):

    Any one of a number of compounds that exhibit optical isomerism.