Racemization

Racemization is a process where a molecule called a chiral compound, which has a specific three-dimensional arrangement, changes into its mirror image form. This transformation involves flipping the spatial structure so that it becomes a mixture of both the original and the mirror image. As a result, the compound loses its specific "handedness," which can affect how it interacts biologically or chemically. Racemization can occur naturally over time or due to external factors like heat or pH changes. It’s important in fields like pharmaceuticals, where the specific structure of a molecule can influence its effectiveness.