Several carbohydrates are listed below with links to the three-dimensional structures of several cyclic acetal forms. Perform the following exercises and then verify your work by comparison with the available models.

Note: The links on this page require the Chime plugin. Students at MSU can use the Macintosh computers in the computer laboratory in the chemistry building which now have this plugin installed. Other users should go to MDL Information Systems home page to get your own copy.

1. Use the provided straight-chain structural representation to draw the cyclic acetal forms listed.
2. Identify the anomeric carbon atom and label the configuration alpha or beta.
3. Draw the most stable conformations of any six-membered cyclic acetals you have drawn.

Carbohydrate Models

• Galactose:
  • a-D-Galactopyranose
  • b-D-Galactopyranose
• Glucose:
  • a-D-Glucopyranose
  • b-D-Glucopyranose
• Mannose:
  • a-D-Mannopyranose
  • b-D-Mannopyranose
• Ribose:
  • a-D-Ribofuranose
  • b-D-Ribofuranose

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