Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry
Racemic (racemate; racemic mixture): A
1:1 (or nearly 1:1) mixture of enantiomers.
During the period 1956 to 1962, racemic thalidomide
was marketed as a sedative and antiemetic for 'hysterical' pregnant
women. The R enantiomer
held the desired sedative and antiemetic effects, whereas the S enantiomer
proved to be a teratogen.
Thalidomide
was eventually withdrawn from sale, but has returned to the market as
an anticancer drug
which works by targeting angiogenesis.
