Question

What is known as a racemic mixture ? give an example?

Answer 1

mixture of two optically active compounds that are the enantiomer of one another having the power to rotate light in different direction but same quantity is called racemic mixture. This mixture is optically inactive if we see as whole. This mixture is formed by an optically active compound and it's mirror image.
The example is......
Racemic mixture formed with lactic acid and it's mirror image. Lactic acid and it's mirror image are optically active differently but this mixture is formed by mixing them in same quantity so they neutralize the rotation of light. So it is optically inactive as whole.

Answer 2

Explanation:

A mixture in which there is presence of a chiral molecule's equal amounts of both left-handed and right handed enentiomers is known as a racemic mixture.

This also means that a racemic mixture contains a 50:50 mixture of enantiomers. As two enantiomers will have equal and opposite specific rotations.

Hence, sepcific rotation of a racemic mixture is equal to zero.

For example, thalidomide is a racemic mixture.