how many chiral carbon atoms does the monosaccharide galactose have? view available hint(s) 1 2 3 4 5 6
how many chiral carbon atoms does the monosaccharide galactose have? view available hint(s) 1 2 3 4 5 6
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Define chiral carbon
A chiral carbon has four different groups attached to it.
Step2: Examine galactose structure
In the structure of galactose, starting from the carbon of the aldehyde group ($CHO$) and moving down the carbon - chain, the second, third, fourth, and fifth carbons each have four different groups attached (a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group ($OH$), and two different carbon - containing groups on either side). The first carbon (aldehyde carbon) has a double - bond and is not chiral, and the last carbon ($CH_2OH$) has two hydrogen atoms attached and is not chiral.
Answer:
4