noun
- the conversion of an optically active compound into a racemic mixture containing equal amounts of both enantiomers
Usage: chemistry
Examples
- The racemization of amino acids occurs slowly over geological time periods.
- Heat can accelerate the racemization process in organic compounds.
- Scientists study racemization to determine the age of fossil specimens.
- The racemization of aspartic acid is used in dating archaeological materials.
- Complete racemization results in a 50:50 mixture of left and right-handed molecules.
- Racemization can occur through various chemical mechanisms including base catalysis.