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D-Glucose VS L-Glucose

Nov 25，2022

D-Glucose is a sugar molecule that can rotate the plane polarized light in the clockwise direction. In the Fischer projection, D-Glucose shows four -OH groups on the sides of the main carbon chain. Three of the -OH groups are on the right side whereas other -OH group is on the left side (-OH group attached to the 3rd carbon atom).

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L-Glucose is the mirror image of D-Glucose. But this mirror image is non-superimposable with D-Glucose. Therefore, L-Glucose is considered as the enantiomer of D-Glucose. Since it is the mirror image, the -OH groups of the Fischer projection are located in completely opposite directions. This structure also has three -OH groups at the same side and other -OH group on the opposite side. But unlike in D-Glucose, three -OH groups are on the left side of the main carbon chain whereas other -OH group is located on the right side.

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D-glucose is the enantiomer of the L-glucose and we call it dextrose. L-glucose is an organic compound and its IUPAC name is (2S, 3R, 4S, 5S)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal.

In D-glucose, three hydroxyl groups and one hydrogen group attach to the right side whereas, in L-glucose, three hydroxyl groups and one hydrogen group attach to the left side. Furthermore, D-glucose can exist in both linear form and cyclic form, but L-glucose exists in an equilibrium mixture of α-L-glucopyranose and β-L-glucopyranose. D-glucose is the main energy source in most living organisms. However, L-Glucose is a low-calorie sweetener that is a excellent suggestion for diabetes patients.

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