How many chiral carbon atoms are there in sucrose? maltose?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: There are 8 chiral carbon atoms in sucrose and 8 chiral carbon atoms in maltose.

Step by step solution

01

1. Analyze the molecular structure of sucrose

Sucrose is a disaccharide, composed of glucose and fructose molecules joined by a glycosidic bond between carbon-1 (C1) of glucose and carbon-2 (C2) of fructose. Here is the structure of sucrose(chip_tags=["latexinline"],inline_code='\begin{array}{c} \end{array} HOCH_2-(CHOH)_4-CH(OCCH_2(CH_2O)CH(CHOH)_3CHO)-O-CH_2-CH(CHOH)_3-CO-CH_2OH'). We will now analyze the structure to identify the chiral carbon atoms.
02

2. Identify chiral carbon atoms in sucrose

According to the structure of sucrose, the chiral carbon atoms are(chip_tags=["latexinline"],inline_code='\begin{array}{c} \end{array} C2, C3, C4, C5, C1^ \ ', and(chip_tags=["latexinline"],inline_code='\begin{array}{c} \end{array} C3^ \ ', C4^ \ ', C5^ \ ' and C6^ \ ' (where the (^ \ ') symbol indicates that the carbon atom belongs to the fructose molecule). There are a total of 8 chiral carbon atoms in sucrose.
03

3. Analyze the molecular structure of maltose

Maltose is also a disaccharide, composed of two glucose molecules joined by an α(1→4) glycosidic bond. Here is the structure of maltose(chip_tags=["latexinline"],inline_code='\begin{array}{c} \end{array} HOCH_2-(CHOH)_4-CH(OC(CH_2OH)CH(CHOH)_3CH_2OH)-O-CH_2-CH(CHOH)_3CH_2OH'). We will now analyze the structure to identify the chiral carbon atoms.
04

4. Identify chiral carbon atoms in maltose

According to the structure of maltose, the chiral carbon atoms are(chip_tags=["latexinline"],inline_code='\begin{array}{c} \end{array} C2, C3, C4, C5 and C1^ \ ' and(chip_tags=["latexinline"],inline_code='\begin{array}{c} \end{array} C3^ \ ', C4^ \ ', C5^ \ ' and C6^ \ ' (where, again, the (^ \ ') symbol indicates that the carbon atom belongs to the second glucose molecule). There are a total of 8 chiral carbon atoms in maltose as well. In conclusion: There are 8 chiral carbon atoms in sucrose and 8 chiral carbon atoms in maltose.

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