BiomoleculesmediumNUMERICAL

Determine the total number of chiral (asymmetric) carbon atoms present in the open-chain Fischer proBiomolecules Chemistry Question

Question

Determine the total number of chiral (asymmetric) carbon atoms present in the open-chain Fischer projection of D-glucose.

Answer: 4

💡 Solution & Explanation

The open-chain aldohexose structure of D-glucose is $CHO-(CHOH)_4-CH_2OH$. The internal carbons (C2, C3, C4, and C5) are each bonded to four distinct groups ($-H$, $-OH$, and two different carbon chains), making exactly 4 chiral centers.

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