What is "racemization"

n. (context chemistry English) The formation of a racemate from a pure enantiomer.

In chemistry, racemization is the conversion of an enantiomerically pure mixture (one where only one enantiomer is present) into a mixture where more than one of the enantiomers are present. If the racemization results in a mixture where the D and L enantiomers are present in equal quantities, the resulting sample is described as a racemic mixture, a racemate, or racemic. Racemization can proceed through a number of different mechanisms, and it has particular significance in pharmacology as different enantiomer may have different pharmaceutical effects.