Answer to Question #19273 in Physical Chemistry for naeim vhora

Question

what is racemization?

Answer 1

Racemization is the process in which one enantiomer of a compound, such asan L-amino acid, converts to the other enantiomer. The compound then alternates between each form while the ratio between the (+) and (–) groups approaches 1:1, at which point it becomes optically inactive. Since (+) and (–) are experimental parameters, the absolute configuration of atoms in chiral molecules are commonly described using R and S, from the Latin rectus (right-handed) and sinistrus (left-handed). An older convention, commonly used by biochemists to describe amino acids and sugars, uses the letters D and L to designate absolute configuration.