ISOSTERE Meaning and
Definition
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Isostere is a term used in chemistry to describe molecules or ions that share the same number of atoms and the same overall electronic structure, but differ in the specific arrangements of those atoms. In other words, isosteres exhibit similar steric and electronic properties, despite having different structural arrangements.
Isosterism occurs when two or more compounds have similar physical and chemical properties due to their comparable molecular frameworks or substituents. Isosteres are often used as substitutes for one another in medicinal chemistry and drug design to optimize the properties of a compound without significantly altering its biological activity.
In a broader sense, isosteres can also refer to atoms, groups, or functional units that have similar chemical behavior. For example, oxygen (O) and sulfur (S) are isosteres because they both have six valence electrons and tend to form similar chemical bonds.
The concept of isosterism is essential in drug discovery and organic synthesis as it allows chemists to explore the structure-activity relationships of compounds. By identifying and utilizing isosteres, researchers can modify drugs to enhance their properties, such as improving pharmacokinetics, reducing toxicity, or increasing selectivity.
Overall, isosteres are structurally and electronically related compounds or functional groups that possess analogous properties, making them valuable tools in various areas of chemistry, including drug design and chemical synthesis.
Common Misspellings for ISOSTERE
- usostere
- jsostere
- ksostere
- osostere
- 9sostere
- 8sostere
- iaostere
- izostere
- ixostere
- idostere
- ieostere
- iwostere
- isistere
- iskstere
- islstere
- ispstere
- is0stere
- is9stere
- isoatere
- isoztere
Etymology of ISOSTERE
The word "isostere" derives from the combination of two Greek elements: "iso", meaning "equal", and "stereos", meaning "solid" or "three-dimensional". Thus, "isostere" essentially means "equal solid" or "equivalent three-dimensional structure". The term is particularly used in organic chemistry to describe chemical compounds or groups that have similar arrangements of atoms and hence exhibit analogous chemical properties.
