Epimers Definition

Epimers Definition

Epimers are forms of a sugar molecule that have the same molecular formula but differ in their spatial arrangement at one chiral center....

What are Epimers?

Epimers are isomers of carbohydrates that have the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements. They are types of diastereomers that vary in configuration at only one chiral centre and do not form mirror images of each other. There can be more than one chiral centre in a molecule; hence a molecule can give rise to many epimeric forms. Some common examples of epimers include D-galactose and D-glucose, ribose and arabinose, Mannose and glucose, etc. An epimer in an epimeric pair undergoes epimerization reaction to form the other epimer....

Examples of Epimers

Some common examples of epimeric pairs are discussed below....

What is Epimerization?

Epimerization is a chemical process in which one epimer is converted into its counterpart in the pair. The process involves enzymatic catalysis or chemical reactions, leading to the change in configuration at the specific carbon atom in a sugar molecule. Epimerization is important in biological system as it ensures conversion of basic sugar forms into their epimers that serve as important components in various metabolic and cell signaling pathways. Apart from this epimerization has served as important basis in understanding drug metabolism and drug development....

What are Diastereomers?

Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are not the mirror images of each other. Diastereomers have same molecular formula but differ in their configuration at only one or multiple chiral centers. Diastereomers may or may not be optically active. They vary in their physical and chemical properties. A examples of diastereomeric pair is tartaric acid and mesotartaric acid....

What are Enantiomers?

Enantiomers are also stereoisomers but they differ in configuration at every chiral center. Unlike diastereomers, enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror images of each other and are always optically active. Based on the way they rotate the plane polarized light, enantiomers are classified to be dextrorotatory or levorotatory. Dextrorotatory compound will rotate the light clockwise whereas levorotatory compound will rotate the light counterclockwise. D-Glucose and L-Glucose are common examples of enantiomers....

What are cis-trans Isomers?

Cis-trans isomers are also known as geometric isomers. They have the same molecular formula but differ in the orientation of atoms or groups. Cis-trans isomerism is commonly observed in compounds with double bonds and in cyclic compounds. In a cis-isomer, functional groups are on the same side of the double bond or cyclic ring. In a trans-isomer, functional groups are on opposite sides of the double bond or the ring. Consider the structural configuration of cis-2-Butene and trans-2-butene in the image given below. Cis-2- butene has the methyl groups located on same side whereas in trans-2-butene the methyl groups on opposite sides....

What are Anomers?

Anomers are subtypes of epimers that vary in configuration at the anomeric carbon. They are commonly associated with cyclic sugars, where the linear form of the sugar undergoes intramolecular cyclization and its C1 carbon forms the chiral centre in the cyclic molecule. Anomers can be classified in two forms: alpha and beta. If the hydroxyl group at the anomeric carbon lies below the plane of ring then the anomer is in alpha (α) forms and if the hydroxyl group lies above the plane of ring then it is said to be in beta ( β) form. Anomers in their aqueous form exhibit mutarotation....

Difference between Epimers and Diastereomers

The difference between epimers and diastereomers are summarized in the table below....

Difference between Anomers and Epimers

The table below summarizes the difference between anomers and epimers....

Difference between Epimers and Enantiomers

Both Epimers and enantiomers are stereoisomers. But they have significant differences which are listed in the table below....

Conclusion – Epimers

Epimers have immense significance in the biological systems because of various factors like difference in rate of their absorption and the way they participate in physiological processes. Their understanding helps in drug designing, determining the composition of nutritional compounds, understanding the underlying causes of various disorders, etc. Epimers can have several health implications like difference in cell signaling process, introducing allergic reaction, and various deficiency disorders like galactosemia. Apart from this understanding the stereoisomerism in epimers have several pharmaceutical application like development of therapeutic processes and customization of treatment....

FAQs – Epimers

What are Epimers?...