stereospecific

[ ster-ee-oh-spuh-sif-ik, steer- ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. (of a reaction) producing a simple stereoisomer.
2. (of a polymer) having a regular sequence of configurations in space along the chain, resulting in the potential for close-packing of molecules and for partial or complete crystallinity.

stereospecific

/ ˌstɛrɪəʊspɪˈsɪfɪk; ˌstɪər- /

adjective

1. chem relating to or having a fixed position in space, as in the spatial arrangements of atoms in certain polymers

Other Words From

• ster·e·o·spec·i·fic·i·ty [ster-ee-oh-spes-, uh, -, fis, -i-tee, steer-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stereospecific¹

stereo- + specific