Carbohydrates Chemistry - Sugar Derivatives

Carbohydrates Chemistry - Sugar Derivatives

• Sugar derivatives are sugar molecules that have been modified with substituents other than hydroxyl groups.
• Deoxy sugars are sugars where a hydroxyl group attached to the C₂ of the sugar is replaced by a hydrogen atom.
  • Example: Deoxyribose, a sugar present in DNA.
• Amino sugars have an amino group replacing the hydroxyl group on the second carbon.
  • Example: Glucosamine, a constituent of hyaluronic acid and heparin; and Galactosamine, a constituent of chondroitin sulphate.
• Sugar acids are formed by oxidation of the aldehyde group (CHO) of aldoses to a carboxyl group (COOH).
  • Aldonic acids result from this oxidation.
    • Example: Gluconic acid from glucose.
  • Uronic acids result from oxidizing the primary alcohol group (CH₂OH) of aldoses to a carboxyl group.
    • Example: D-Glucuronic acid from glucose; L-Iduronic acid, part of chondroitin sulfate B.
• Sugar alcohols result from the reduction of the carbonyl group to an alcohol group.
  • Example: Sorbitol, the alcohol of glucose, and an intermediate in glucose-to-fructose conversion in seminal vesicles; Ribitol, the alcohol of ribose, part of riboflavin (vitamin B₂).
• Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structures.
  • D and L isomers are mirror images of each other.
  • Enantiomers are optical isomers, a type of stereoisomer.

Explore the fascinating world of sugar derivatives, including deoxy sugars, amino sugars, sugar acids, and sugar alcohols. This quiz covers the chemical modifications of sugar molecules and their significance in biology, such as their roles in DNA and connective tissues. Test your knowledge on these essential components of carbohydrates!