Answer "Monosaccharides: Why 3 Carbon Atoms?

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Monosaccharides, which are simple sugars, typically contain three to six carbon atoms, with trioses being the smallest. The discussion highlights that compounds with fewer than three carbons, such as glycolaldehyde, exhibit sugar-like properties but do not qualify as monosaccharides due to their empirical formula not aligning with the characteristics of sugars. A compound like HOCCHO, which features a hydroxyl group and an aldehyde, is mentioned as a potential 'diose,' but it is not recognized as a sugar. The conversation also clarifies that glyoxal, a dialdehyde, is distinct from hydroxyaldehydes. The need for a stable cyclic form is suggested as a criterion for classification as a monosaccharide.
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challenge question!

whay does not monossacharides come less than three carbon atoms?? (I mean they just come triose to hexose)>>thnk you
 
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the closest thing to a 'diose' wold be HOCCHO, or a hydroxyl group on one carbon and an aldehyde on the other.

it is very sugar-like, but isn't considered a sugar because the empirical ratio of elements can't be quite right when there are only 2 carbons.
 


Galap said:
the closest thing to a 'diose' wold be HOCCHO, or a hydroxyl group on one carbon and an aldehyde on the other.

it is very sugar-like, but isn't considered a sugar because the empirical ratio of elements can't be quite right when there are only 2 carbons.

Note that the compound you've written out is not an hydroxyaldehyde, rather a dialdehyde (glyoxal).

There is nothing wrong with Gylcolaldehyde OHCCH2OH [or (CH2O)2 in "carbo'hydrate'" terms] (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Glycolaldehyde&oldid=392458101), which suggests you may need a stable cyclic form to be a proper monosaccharide. Perhaps http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monosaccharide&oldid=391746084 can help?
 
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