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，萨力多胺中的R体在人体内还是可以转换成S变体。

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

也就是说，这两种体都是它们自己的镜像。

These two chemicals are mirror images known as enantiomers.

这两种化学物质是镜像， 称体。

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

" 异构体是..." -这不是克伊吗？

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

这是手性分子的不同变体——即体——是由所有相同部分组成，但是却以不同形式排列。

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

但是如果你找到的是“左撇子”或是S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，沙利度胺的 R 异构体实际上可以在人体内转换 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体通常是作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体有助于缓解晨吐，但是S体则会引发严重的先天缺陷。

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

那是不同版本的手性分子— — 称体—— 由所有相同的部分组成， 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体隔离出来，这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.

这两项工作的结果是一个被称不称有机催化的领域（这个名称的不称部分指的是它产生纯体的能力）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.

这些基团有点像你的手指： 在每个异构体中，这些基团以相反的顺序附着在手性中心， 所以它们是彼此的镜像。

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.

你体内不同的受体和酶会以非常具体的方式和分子共同发生反应，事实上体是镜像意味着它们可能事情的反应完全不同。

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.

这些分子有两种形式且互镜像。这在制药行业很重要，不同体，人体会产生不同的作用。

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.

不含金属原子的小分子催化剂，可以生成纯净的体，而且通常会简化多步反应。这具有重大的工业意义。

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.

如果你找到了认是“右撇子”的分子变体，即R体，那么离手性中心最近的氧原子就在它的下方，附在中心的氢原子将背朝你。