Racemic Mixtures

A racemic mixture contains equal amounts of two mirror-image forms (enantiomers) of a chiral molecule. These enantiomers are like left- and right-handed versions that are similar but non-superimposable. When combined in equal parts, their effects often cancel each other out or diminish. This mixture can influence how a substance interacts biologically or chemically, sometimes reducing its potency or changing its behavior. Racemic mixtures are common in pharmaceuticals and natural products, where understanding the balance between enantiomers is important for efficacy and safety.