L-xylulose is a clear liquid. It is a ketopentose, meaning that it has five carbon atoms and a ketogroup at carbon C-2. It has a molecular formula of C5H10O5 and a molar mass of 150.13 g/mol. Xylulose is almost colorless and it forms syrup. The formation of crystals has not been reported (Budavari, 1996). Both D- and L - enantiomers of xylulose are found as intermediates in metabolic pathways of prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes. Both forms are rare in nature (Doten and Mortlock, 1985b).
