The significance of enantiomers in catalysis lies in their distinct biological and chemical properties. Many biological molecules, including proteins, sugars, and DNA, are chiral. Therefore, the ability to selectively produce one enantiomer over another can be critical in the development of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other fine chemicals. Enantiomers can have drastically different effects in biological systems. For instance, one enantiomer of a drug might be therapeutic while its mirror image could be toxic.
