How many chiral carbon atoms are there in \(\alpha\) -glucose? in fructose?

First, we need to draw the structures of α-glucose and fructose molecules in their Fischer projection forms. α-Glucose: The Fischer projection of α-glucose is as follows: ``` HO H H H | | | | H - C - H - C - OH - C - O - O - H | | | OH HO H ``` Fructose: The Fischer projection of fructose is as follows: ``` H | H - C - C - O - H | | O - C - H | | OH OH ```

Now, examine each carbon atom in the α-glucose structure and check if they have four different groups attached to them. In α-glucose: - Carbon 1 (C1) has H, OH, a ring oxygen, and a chain linked to the carbon beside it (C2). Four different groups, so C1 is chiral. - Carbon 2 (C2) has H, OH, and two carbon chains (C1 and C3). Four different groups, so C2 is chiral. - Carbon 3 (C3) has H, OH, and two carbon chains (C2 and C4). Four different groups, so C3 is chiral. - Carbon 4 (C4) has H, OH, and two carbon chains (C3 and an oxygen-linked chain). Four different groups, so C4 is chiral. - Carbon 5 (C5), which is part of the ring, is not considered here as it is not a chiral center. In total, there are 4 chiral carbon atoms in α-glucose.

Now, examine each carbon atom in the fructose structure and check if they have four different groups attached to them. In fructose: - Carbon 1 (C1) has two H and an oxygen. Therefore, C1 is not chiral. - Carbon 2 (C2) has H, an oxygen, OH, and a carbon chain (C3). Four different groups, so C2 is chiral. - Carbon 3 (C3) has two OH and two carbon chains (C2 and C4). Four different groups, so C3 is chiral. - Carbon 4 (C4) has two H and an oxygen. Therefore, C4 is not chiral. In total, there are 2 chiral carbon atoms in fructose. So, in conclusion, there are 4 chiral carbon atoms in α-glucose and 2 chiral carbon atoms in fructose.