Abstract The rates of racemisation, under constant conditions of pH and temperature, of two series of ketones with an asymmetric C-atom in α have been determined. As would be expected, substituents in the α position to the keto group influence the rate of racemisation, and it has been found possible to assess the relative electron donating or electron attracting effect of aliphatic, aliphatic-aromatic or aromatic substituents by measuring their influence ...
