stereochemistry

[ ster-ee-oh-kem-uh-stree, steer- ]

noun

1. the branch of chemistry that deals with the determination of the relative positions in space of the atoms or groups of atoms in a compound and with the effects of these positions on the properties of the compound.

stereochemistry

/ ˌstɪər-; ˌstɛrɪəʊˈkɛmɪstrɪ /

noun

1. the study of the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and the effect of spatial arrangement on chemical properties

stereochemistry

/ stĕr′ē-ō-kĕm′ĭ-strē /

1. The branch of chemistry that deals with the spatial arrangements of atoms in molecules and with the chemical and physical effects of these arrangements.

Other Words From

• ster·e·o·chem·ic [ster-ee-oh-, kem, -ik, steer-], stere·o·chemi·cal adjective
• stere·o·chemi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stereochemistry¹

First recorded in 1885–90; stereo- + chemistry