Kinetics of base catalyzed racemization of ibuprofen enantiomers

The kinetics of base catalyzed racemization of ibuprofen enantiomers has been studied in DMSO-water mixed medium. The dynamic equilibrium rate of keto-enol tautomerism leading to racemization of ibuprofen enantiomers, is proportional to the concentrations of base catalyst and substrate. A kinetic model capable of predicting the time course of racemization, under different base and substrate concentrations, is established and experimentally verified.