stereocompatible

Stereocompatible is an adjective used to describe compatibility with the stereochemical requirements of a biological system or other chiral environment. In practice, it means that the stereochemistry of a molecule, material, or process is preserved or matched in a way that supports proper recognition, binding, function, or safety within the context in which it is used.

In drug development, stereocompatibility refers to preserving the correct enantiomeric configuration during synthesis, formulation, and delivery, and to designing components that do not induce unwanted racemization or steric clashes with biological targets and metabolic pathways. In biomaterials, stereocompliant polymers or surfaces are chosen or engineered to interact favorably with chiral biomolecules such as proteins and cell receptors, potentially reducing immune responses and improving biocompatibility and performance.

Evaluation of stereocompatibility involves methods that assess chiral integrity and biological compatibility. Techniques include chiral chromatography to measure enantiomeric purity, enantioselectivity assays, circular dichroism spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography for stereochemical analysis, and comparative bioassays to gauge activity or toxicity across stereoisomers.

Relationship to related concepts: stereocompatibility is related to, but distinct from, stereoselectivity or enantiospecificity. It emphasizes the overall compatibility of stereochemistry with a system or process, rather than the outcome of a single reaction, and it can apply to synthesis, material interfaces, and biomedical applications.

Limitations: the term is context-dependent and not a universal standard; what is stereocompatible in one system may be unsuitable in another due to differences in receptors, enzymes, or species.