Question

What is the anomeric carbon in a 2-ketohexose?

Short answer

Answer: The anomeric carbon in a 2-ketohexose is the third carbon (C-3).

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the carbonyl carbon in 2-ketohexose

In a 2-ketohexose, the carbonyl group (C=O) is present at the second carbon (C-2). Since ketoses have a carbonyl group in the penultimate position, you should look for the carbonyl carbon at the second position in the hexose.

Determine the anomeric carbon

The anomeric carbon is the carbon involved in the formation of the glycosidic bond (formation of cyclic structure). In the case of ketoses, the anomeric carbon is the one adjacent to the carbonyl carbon. In a 2-ketohexose, the carbonyl carbon is at the second position (C-2). So, the anomeric carbon is the carbon adjacent to C-2, which is the third carbon (C-3).

The anomeric carbon in a 2-ketohexose

The anomeric carbon in a 2-ketohexose is the third carbon (C-3).