Editing Racemization (section)

{{Short description|Conversion of an optically active chemical compound into an inactive form}}
In [[chemistry]], '''racemization''' is a conversion, by heat or by chemical reaction, of an [[Optical rotation|optically active]] compound into a [[Racemic mixture|racemic]] (optically inactive) form. This creates a 1:1 molar ratio of [[enantiomer]]s and is referred to as a [[racemic mixture]] (i.e. contain equal amount of (+) and (−) forms). Plus and minus forms are called [[Dextrorotation and levorotation]].<ref name = "Kennepohl_2019">{{Cite web | vauthors = Kennepohl D, Farmer S |date=2019-02-13 |title=6.7: Optical Activity and Racemic Mixtures |url=https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Sacramento_City_College/SCC%3A_Chem_420_-_Organic_Chemistry_I/Text/06%3A_Stereochemistry_at_Tetrahedral_Centers/6.07%3A_Optical_Activity_and_Racemic_Mixtures |access-date=2022-11-16 | work = Chemistry LibreTexts |language=en}}</ref> The D and L enantiomers are present in equal quantities, the resulting sample is described as a [[racemic mixture]] or a racemate. Racemization can proceed through a number of different mechanisms, and it has particular significance in pharmacology inasmuch as different enantiomers may have different pharmaceutical effects.