racemic
/rəˈsiːmɪk
/ /rəˈsɛmɪk /adjective Chemistry
Composed of dextrorotatory and laevorotatory forms of a compound in equal proportion.It has developed a new process to separate racemic epoxides by hydrolysis....
- Louis Pasteur performed the first enantiomeric resolution in 1848 while studying crystals of a salt of racemic tartaric acid.
- It has an asymmetric carbon atom and therefore has levo and dextro isomers but is supplied as a racemic mixture for anesthetic use.
Derivatives
racemize
- Accordingly, the extent of racemization in the total acid hydrolysate would be weighted by the degree of racemization of the remaining higher molecular weight, less racemized amino acid residues.
Origin
Early 19th century (in racemic acid): from French racémique 'derived from grape juice' (originally referring to tartaric acid in this) + -ic.