A racemic mixture is a mix of equal numbers of enantiomeric molecules. Each enantiomer rotates plane-polarized light in an equal but opposite direction and is optically inactive because they are mirror images. when an optically active compound is synthesized, the product formed is found to be an optically inactive racemic mixture containing equal amounts of both l and d forms. The process where enantiomers are separated into l and d forms is referred to as “resolution”. the mixture is then said to have been resolved. Nomenclature A racemic mixture is represented by the prefix (±)- or ld-, demonstrating an equal (1:1) mix of levo and dextro isomers. Also, the prefix racem- or the symbols SR and RS are used. If the ratio is unknown or not 1:1, the prefix (-)/(+), l/d- is used instead. Resolution …show more content…
Resolution is extremely difficult since enantiomers have identical physical properties, such as melting point and solubility. On the other hand, diastereomers have different physical properties, and this fact is used to attain a resolution of racemates. a mixture of diastereomers can be obtained by the reaction of a racemate with an enantiomerically pure chiral reagent. which can be separated. For example, if a racemic mixture of a chiral alcohol reacts with an enantiomerically pure carboxylic acid, a mixture of diastereomers is the result. In this case, because the pure enantiomer of the acid (R) was used, a mixture of (R-S) and (R-R) is the product, which are diastereomers esters, which, in theory, can be separated by physical means due to their dissimilar physical