racemic acid

noun

, Chemistry.

an isomeric modification of tartaric acid that is sometimes found in the juice of grapes in conjunction with the common dextrorotatory form and is optically inactive but can be separated into the two usual isomeric forms, dextrorotatory and levorotatory.

racemic acid

the optically inactive form of tartaric acid that is sometimes found in grape juice

racemic acid

An optically inactive form of tartaric acid that can be separated into dextrorotatory and levorotatory components and is sometimes found in grape juice. Chemical formula: C 4 H 6 O 6 .

First recorded in 1830–40

Racemic acid is rather less soluble than tartaric, and separates first from a solution containing the two acids.

A solution of racemic acid precipitates a neutral salt of calcium, which is not the case with tartaric acid.

Examination of liquors from which racemic acid has been deposited has always shown them to contain much inactive tartaric acid.

This theory does not exclude the probability that certain vines under particular conditions produce racemic acid.

As, for instance, strychnine racemate, a compound of racemic acid with the optically active strychnine.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

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