Enantioselectivity refers to the preference of a catalyst to produce one enantiomer over another. This is crucial in the synthesis of chiral molecules because different enantiomers can have vastly different biological activities. For instance, one enantiomer of a drug might be therapeutically beneficial, while the other could be harmful. Achieving high enantioselectivity ensures that the desired enantiomer is produced in greater quantities, enhancing the efficacy and safety of the final product.
