1. to convert (a compound) into an epimer, especially by changing the configuration at one stereogenic center
Usage: chemistry; technical

Examples

• The glucose solution was treated with base to epimerize it into mannose.
• Under alkaline conditions, the sugar can epimerize to form a mixture of stereoisomers.
• Chemists epimerized the compound to study the effects of stereochemistry on reactivity.
• The reaction epimerizes the chiral center without breaking any bonds.
• Heat and catalyst were used to epimerize the steroid intermediate.