Question

Indicate the chiral carbon atoms found in the monosaccharides D-ribose and D-mannose.

Short answer

The chiral carbon atoms found in the monosaccharides D-ribose and D-mannose.

Step-by-step solution

To identify the chiral carbon atoms found in the monosaccharides

To be able to identify the chiral carbon atoms found in the monosaccharides D-ribose and D-mannose, first we must draw the structure of the two monosaccharides. The two are drawn below

Then, note that the definition of chiral carbon atom is a carbon that has four different substituent groups attached. Observe the carbon atoms in each structure that are attached to four different substituent groups

To observe the D-ribose molecule

Observing the D-ribose molecule, look at the carbon atoms labelled which all have four different substituent groups attached. Whereas carbon atoms labelled only have 3 different substituent groups. Taking this into consideration, we can say that there are 3 chiral carbon atoms found in D-ribose.

To observe D-mannose molecule

The D-mannose molecule, look at the carbon atoms labelledwhich all different substituent groups are attached. Whereas carbon atoms labelledonly havedifferent substituent groups. Taking this into consideration, we can say that there arechiral carbon atoms present in D-mannose.

Hence The chiral carbon atoms found in the monosaccharides D-ribose and D-mannose.