Transition-metal catalysts can be easier to handle than enzymes, but usually fail to distinguish between enantiomers.

过渡金属催化剂可能比酶更容易操作，但通常无法区分对映体。

But it turns out that thalidomide's R enantiomer can actually switch to the S version while inside the human body.

但事实证明，萨力多胺中R对映体在人体内还可以转换成S变体。

In other words, the two enantiomers are mirror images of each other.

也就，两种对映体都它们自己镜像。

These two chemicals are mirror images known as enantiomers.

两种化学物质镜像， 称为对映体。

" Enantiomers are..." - Hey, is that Chloe?

" 对映异构体..." -不克伊吗？

And that's because the different versions of chiral molecules—called enantiomers —are made up of all the same parts, but arranged differently.

因为手性分子不同变体——即对映体——由所有相同部分组成，但却以不同形式排列。

But if you position the " left-handed" , or S enantiomer, the same way, the hydrogen atom will be facing toward you.

但如果你找到“撇子”或S对映体，那么氢原子将面朝你。

But it turns out that thalidomide’s R enantiomer can actually switch to the S version while inside the human body.

但事实证明，沙利度胺 R 对映异构体实际上可以在人体内转换为 S 版本。

The S enantiomer is commonly sold over the counter as a vasodilator, and you can easily find it in vapor inhalers.

S对映体通常作为血管舒张药在柜台销售，你可以在蒸气吸入器中轻松找到它。

In the case of thalidomide, scientists discovered that the R enantiomer helped with morning sickness, but the S enantiomer caused those severe birth defects.

在萨力多胺中，科学家发现R对映体有助于缓解晨吐，但S对映体则会引发严重先天缺陷。

And that’s because the different versions of chiral molecules — called enantiomers — are made up of all the same parts, but arranged differently.

那因为不同版本手性分子— — 称为对映体—— 由所有相同部分组成， 但排列不同。

After researchers discovered that only the S version of thalidomide caused birth defects, they thought about isolating the R enantiomer so they could continue to use it to treat morning sickness.

当研究员门发现萨力多胺中仅有S变体会导致先天缺陷后，他们考虑将R对映体隔离出来，样他们就能够继续使用萨力多胺治疗晨吐。

The result of these two pieces of work is a field called asymmetric organocatalysis (the asymmetric part of the name referring to its ability to generate pure enantiomers), that is now rippling through industrial chemistry.

两项工作结果一个被称为不对称有机催化领域（个名称不对称部分指它产生纯对映体能力）现在正席卷工业化学界。

These groups are kind of like your fingers: in each enantiomer, the groups are attached to the chiral center in the opposite order, so they’re mirror images of each other.

些基团有点像你手指： 在每个对映异构体中，些基团以相反顺序附着在手性中心， 所以它们彼此镜像。

And because different receptors and enzymes inside your body react with molecules in very specific ways, the fact that enantiomers are mirror images means that they might react to things totally differently.

因为你体内不同受体和酶会以非常具体方式和分子共同发生反应，事实上对映体镜像意味着它们可能对事情反应完全不同。

These are molecules that have two forms which are mirror images of each other. This is important in the drug industry, for the different versions, known as enantiomers, can have different effects in the body.

些分子有两种形式且互为镜像。在制药行业很重要，因为不同对映体，对人体会产生不同作用。

Dr List and Dr MacMillan found a way to have the best of both worlds: small-molecule catalysts that have no metal atoms in them, can turn out pure enantiomers, and often simplify multi-step reactions. That has significant industrial implications.

不含金属原子小分子催化剂，可以生成纯净对映体，而且通常会简化多步反应。具有重大工业意义。

If you position the version of the molecule that's considered " right-handed" , called the R enantiomer, so the closest oxygen atom to the chiral center is below it, the hydrogen atom attached to the center will be facing away from you.

如果你找到了认为“右撇子”分子变体，即R对映体，那么离手性中心最近氧原子就在它下方，附在中心氢原子将背朝你。