Question

What is the difference between epimers and anomers?

Answer 1

Hint:Stereoisomers are the pairs of compounds which have the same chemical formula but they differ in their three-dimensional orientation.
The stereoisomers which differ in the configuration at only one chiral carbon atom are known as epimers whereas those which differ in configuration at acetal or hemiacetal carbon are known as anomers.

Complete step-by-step answer:Let us know about epimers and anomers in detail;
Epimers-
It is one of the pair of stereoisomers which differs in the configuration at only one chiral carbon i.e. one stereo genic centre. Here, other stereo centres (if they are present) are the same in both the molecules of a pair.
Examples of epimers are;
Galactose and Glucose.
Anomers-
This is actually an epimer that differs in the configuration at the acetal or hemiacetal carbon as stated above. These are the cyclic molecules unlike pure epimers (which can be either cyclic or acyclic).
Examples of anomers are;
$\alpha -D-Fructofuranose$ and $\beta -D-Fructofuranose$.

Note:The epimers are known as enantiomers when we have only one stereo centre whereas, the same is known as di-stereoisomers when we have one or more stereo centres.
Do note that the anomers are the special case of the epimers as both are stereoisomers just differing at some points.