racemic

[ rey-see-mik, -sem-ik, ruh- ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. noting or pertaining to any of various organic compounds in which racemism occurs.

racemic

/ rəˈsiːmɪzəm; rəˈsiːmɪk; -ˈsɛm-; ˈræsɪˌmɪzəm /

adjective

1. chem of, concerned with, or being a mixture of equal amounts of enantiomers and consequently having no optical activity

racemic

/ rə-sē′mĭk /

1. Relating to a chemical compound that contains equal quantities of the dextrorotatory and levorotatory forms of the compound and therefore does not rotate the plane of incident polarized light.
2. Relating to or consisting of racemes.

Derived Forms

• racemism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of racemic¹

1830–40; < French racémique < Latin racēm ( us ) raceme + French -ique -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of racemic¹

C19: from raceme (as in racemic acid ) + -ic

Example Sentences

The reaction had been published earlier by another researcher, but had never been investigated for its ability to produce homochiral peptides from racemic or near-racemic mixes of amino acids.

From Science Daily

Perhaps due to increased demand, manufacturing or supply chain issues, racemic ketamine used in these infusions has been in shortage since 2018.

From Salon

So how does T induce the conversion of a racemic mixture of allenes into a single enantiomer, a process known as deracemization?

From Nature

The radical is then converted in situ to a racemic mixture of amines.

From Nature

Here we report asymmetric catalysis of an SN1-type reaction mechanism that results in the enantioselective construction of quaternary stereocentres from racemic precursors.

From Nature