In solution,glucose exists as

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Glucose exists as an equilibrium mixture of the open-chain form and cyclic hemiacetal forms. In aqueous solution, glucose undergoes intramolecular cyclization, and the C5 hydroxyl group reacts with the carbonyl group of the C1 carbon to form a hemiacetal ring. The ring closure results in the formation of a new stereocenter at C1, which can exist in two different forms. The most stable form is the alpha anomer, where the hydroxyl group at C1 is pointing down (axial position) relative to the ring plane. The beta anomer has the hydroxyl group pointing up (equatorial position) relative to the ring plane. The equilibrium between the open-chain and cyclic hemiacetal forms is in favor of the latter, with a small proportion of the open-chain form present at any given time.

In Solution,glucose Exists as