Definition of Aldose



Aldose is a monosaccharide consisting of a carbon chain that has a carbonyl group attached to the last carbon and hydroxyl groups that are bonded to all the other carbon atoms of the carbon backbone. The presence of the aldehyde group makes it an aldose sugar. The general formula of aldoses is Cn(H2O)n. the simplest aldose is composed of 3 carbon atoms and is called glyceraldehyde.

 


If the Aldo group is removed from this glyceraldehyde and replaced with a keto group, it becomes dihydroxyacetone which is a keto sugar. All the known aldoses exhibit the phenomenon of stereoisomerism. Some common aldoses are ribose, erythrose, glucose, etc.


View More Organic Chemistry Definitions