Question

Why are enantiomers non superimposable?

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this question we need to know what enantiomers are which will be explained further in the question. Being non-superimposable means, when they are stacked up one above the other, they do not stack up in a uniform line and will not be the same as the object/compound below them.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Enantiomers are a type of stereoisomers. They are chiral molecules that are mirror images of one another. They are non-superimposable, meaning the mirror image compounds when placed one above the other will not stack up over each other in a uniform line up manner.
A chiral molecule will have a mirror image which is not the same as itself. A chiral carbon is the one with four different substituents attached to it. These substituents should be distinguishable for it to be chiral and called an enantiomer. The carbon that is attached to four different substituents is known as the stereo centre. Enantiomers are of two types R configuration and S configuration. R is obtained when the substituents attached to the carbon are numbered in a clockwise manner and S in an anti clockwise manner. The most common examples of enantiomers are D-Glucose and L-Glucose.
Remember that all mirror images are non-superimposable. If they are non-superimposable then they have to be mirror images, and thus they are termed as enantiomers. Take the example of our two hands, they are mirror images of each other. When you stack up one hand over the other, they won’t superimpose. Enantiomers are just molecular versions of your hands.

Note:
Diastereomers are also a type of stereoisomer that are not mirror images of one another. Also, they are not superimposable. If any of two molecules are not mirror images of each other, they are not superimposable, thus they are diastereomers.