Racemic acid meaning

Racemic acid is a type of molecule consisting of equal parts of two enantiomers.


Racemic acid definitions

Word backwards cimecar dica
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "racemic acid" is a noun.
Syllabic division ra-ce-mic ac-id
Plural The plural of racemic acid is racemic acids.
Total letters 11
Vogais (3) a,e,i
Consonants (4) r,c,m,d

Racemic acid, also known as DL-malic acid, is a type of organic compound that is formed by mixing equal parts of two mirror-image isomers known as L-malic acid and D-malic acid. This results in a mixture that is optically inactive, meaning it does not rotate the plane of polarized light. Racemic acid is commonly used in the food industry as a food additive and flavoring agent.

Structure of Racemic Acid

Racemic acid has a chemical formula of C4H6O5 and a molecular weight of 134.087 g/mol. It is a dicarboxylic acid, meaning it contains two carboxylic acid functional groups. The two isomers that make up racemic acid are enantiomers, meaning they are non-superimposable mirror images of each other.

Characteristics of Racemic Acid

Racemic acid is a white crystalline powder that is water-soluble and has a sour taste. It is commonly used in the food industry as an acidulant and flavor enhancer in various products such as candies, beverages, and baked goods. Racemic acid is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as an intermediate in the synthesis of certain drugs.

Uses of Racemic Acid

Racemic acid is used in the production of natural and artificial flavors, as well as in the manufacturing of cosmetics and personal care products. In the pharmaceutical industry, racemic acid is used in the production of drugs that require a chiral reagent. It is also used in the preparation of metal malates, which have various industrial applications.

Enantiomers and optically inactive racemic acid play a significant role in the fields of chemistry, food science, and pharmacology. The ability to produce racemic acid in a controlled manner allows for the creation of a wide range of products that benefit various industries.


Racemic acid Examples

  1. The laboratory technician synthesized a racemic acid compound for the experiment.
  2. Racemic acid is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry for drug development.
  3. Scientists have been studying the properties of racemic acid in organic chemistry.
  4. The student conducted a research project on the optical activity of racemic acid.
  5. A new method was developed to separate racemic acid into its enantiomers.
  6. The acidity of racemic acid solutions was measured using a pH meter.
  7. Racemic acid can exhibit different chemical reactions based on its configuration.
  8. The production process of racemic acid involves a series of complex steps.
  9. Racemic acid derivatives have shown promising results in biological studies.
  10. The stability of racemic acid solutions was analyzed under varying conditions.


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  • Updated 25/03/2024 - 10:26:29