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Organic Chemistry 2 · Nitrogen and biological molecules

Carbohydrate structure and equilibria: practice problems

80 problems, each with its worked solution. Open one to read every step, or filter by tag.

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  • Ring closure of D-glucose to β-D-glucopyranose

    Free solution3 steps

  • Close an aldose chain

    Free solution2 steps

  • Activate an anomeric acetal

    Free solution2 steps

  • Amadori rearrangement of the D-glucose–glycine imine

    Free solution4 steps

  • 4,6-O-Benzylidene acetal of methyl α-D-glucopyranoside

    Free solution6 steps

  • Bromine water oxidation of D-glucose to D-gluconic acid

    Free solution6 steps

  • Oxidation of glyceraldehyde to glyceric acid with bromine water

    Free solution6 steps

  • Acid hydrolysis of cellobiose to two D-glucose

    Free solution4 steps

  • Glyceraldehyde to dihydroxyacetone through an enediol

    Free solution4 steps

Draw the mechanism 37

  • Close an aldose chainForm a five-membered hemiacetal through intramolecular carbonyl addition and protonation.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #NucleophilicAddition
    • #MechanismDrawing
  • Activate an anomeric acetalShow acid activation and glycosidic cleavage without inventing direct loss of methoxide.Challenge
    • #Glycosides
    • #Acetals
    • #Hydrolysis
    • #MechanismDrawing
  • Amadori rearrangement of the D-glucose–glycine imineDraw the acetic acid-catalysed Amadori rearrangement: iminium formation, loss of the C2–H to the 1,2-enaminol and tautomerization to the 1-amino-1-deoxy ketose.Challenge
    • #AmadoriRearrangement
    • #Tautomerization
    • #IminesAndEnamines
    • #Carbohydrates
  • 4,6-O-Benzylidene acetal of methyl α-D-glucopyranosideDraw the ZnCl2-promoted formation of the 4,6-O-benzylidene acetal from methyl α-D-glucopyranoside and benzaldehyde, through the hemiacetal and the oxocarbenium ion.Challenge
    • #Acetals
    • #ProtectingGroups
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Chemoselectivity
  • Bromine water oxidation of D-glucose to D-gluconic acidDraw the hydrate, hypobromite and C–H loss steps by which bromine water oxidizes C1 of D-glucose to D-gluconic acid.Application
    • #Oxidation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #CarboxylicAcids
  • Oxidation of glyceraldehyde to glyceric acid with bromine waterDraw hydration of the glyceraldehyde aldehyde, bromination of a hydrate OH and the elimination of bromide with C–H loss that gives glyceric acid.Application
    • #Oxidation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Hydration
  • Acid hydrolysis of cellobiose to two D-glucoseDraw the acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the β(1→4) glycosidic bond of cellobiose through the glucosyl oxocarbenium ion to two molecules of D-glucose.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Hydrolysis
    • #Carbohydrates
  • Glyceraldehyde to dihydroxyacetone through an enediolDraw hydroxide removing the α-hydrogen of glyceraldehyde, protonation to the enediol, deprotonation of the C2 OH and reprotonation at C1 to dihydroxyacetone.Application
    • #Tautomerization
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Enolates
    • #AcidBaseCatalysis
  • Ring closure of D-fructose to β-D-fructofuranoseDraw acid-catalysed hemiketal formation in which the C5 hydroxyl of D-fructose closes onto the C2 ketone to give β-D-fructofuranose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #NucleophilicAddition
    • #AcidBaseCatalysis
  • Ring closure of D-fructose to β-D-fructopyranoseDraw acid-catalysed hemiketal formation in which the C6 hydroxyl of D-fructose closes onto the C2 ketone to give the six-membered β-D-fructopyranose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #NucleophilicAddition
    • #AcidBaseCatalysis
  • Mutarotation of α-D-galactopyranose to β-D-galactopyranoseDraw the acid-catalysed ring opening of α-D-galactopyranose to the open-chain aldehyde and its reclosure on the opposite face of C1 to β-D-galactopyranose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Equilibrium
    • #AcidBaseCatalysis
    • #Acetals
  • Ring closure of D-galactose to β-D-galactopyranoseDraw base-catalysed hemiacetal formation: hydroxide deprotonates the C5 hydroxyl of D-galactose, the alkoxide adds to C1 and water protonates the anomeric oxygen.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #NucleophilicAddition
    • #AcidBaseCatalysis
  • 6-O-Acetyl-β-D-glucopyranose from acetic anhydrideDraw the C6 hydroxyl of β-D-glucopyranose adding to acetic anhydride, loss of acetate from the tetrahedral intermediate and pyridine removing the proton.Application
    • #AcidDerivatives
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #NucleophilicAcylSubstitution
    • #Esters
  • Epimerization of D-glucose to D-mannoseDraw hydroxide removing the C2 hydrogen of open-chain D-glucose and water reprotonating C2 from the opposite face to give D-mannose.Challenge
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Diastereomers
    • #Enolates
  • Ring closure of D-glucose to β-D-glucopyranoseDraw the C5 hydroxyl adding to the C1 aldehyde of D-glucose and the water-relayed proton transfer that gives the β-pyranose hemiacetal.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #Stereochemistry
    • #NucleophilicAddition
  • Kiliani–Fischer cyanohydrins from D-arabinoseDraw catalytic cyanide adding to each face of the D-arabinose aldehyde and HCN protonating each alkoxide, giving the two epimeric cyanohydrins.Application
    • #KilianiFischer
    • #NucleophilicAddition
    • #Nitriles
    • #Diastereomers
  • Cyanohydrin formation from D-glyceraldehyde (Kiliani–Fischer)Draw cyanide adding to the aldehyde of D-glyceraldehyde and HCN protonating the alkoxide to the new cyanohydrin stereocentre of the Kiliani–Fischer chain extension.Challenge
    • #KilianiFischer
    • #Hydrocyanation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Diastereomers
  • Koenigs–Knorr β-methyl glucoside from acetobromoglucoseDraw the silver-promoted Koenigs–Knorr reaction of acetobromoglucose with methanol, including the C2-acetate dioxolenium ion that delivers the 1,2-trans β-glucoside.Challenge
    • #KoenigsKnorr
    • #Glycosides
    • #NeighboringGroupParticipation
    • #Stereospecificity
  • Acid hydrolysis of lactose to D-galactose and D-glucoseDraw the acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the β(1→4) glycosidic bond of lactose through the galactosyl oxocarbenium ion to D-galactose and D-glucose.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Hydrolysis
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Hydrolysis of maltose to two D-glucoseDraw protonation of the α(1→4) glycosidic oxygen of maltose, release of the reducing glucose unit as the oxocarbenium ion forms, water capture and deprotonation.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Hydrolysis
    • #Carbohydrates
  • Methyl α-D-mannopyranoside by Fischer glycosylationDraw the HCl-catalysed Fischer glycosylation of α-D-mannopyranose with methanol through the oxocarbenium ion to methyl α-D-mannopyranoside.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Acetals
    • #AnomericEffect
    • #SN1
  • Ring closure of D-mannose to α-D-mannopyranoseDraw acid-catalysed hemiacetal formation in which the C5 hydroxyl of D-mannose adds to the C1 aldehyde to give α-D-mannopyranose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #NucleophilicAddition
    • #AnomericEffect
  • Methyl α-D-glucopyranoside by Fischer glycosylationDraw protonation of the anomeric OH, loss of water to the oxocarbenium ion, methanol capture and deprotonation to methyl α-D-glucopyranoside.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Acetals
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #AcidBaseCatalysis
  • Hydrolysis of methyl β-D-glucopyranoside to D-glucoseDraw protonation of the glycosidic oxygen, loss of methanol to the oxocarbenium ion, water capture and deprotonation to β-D-glucopyranose.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Hydrolysis
    • #Acetals
    • #Carbohydrates
  • Mutarotation of β-D-glucopyranose to α-D-glucopyranoseDraw acid-catalysed opening of the β-glucopyranose ring to the protonated aldehyde and reclosure on the other face to α-D-glucopyranose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #AnomericEffect
    • #Equilibrium
    • #AcidBaseCatalysis
  • Reduction of D-fructose to D-glucitol and D-mannitolDraw borohydride adding to each face of the C2 ketone of D-fructose and water protonating each alkoxide, giving the epimeric alditols D-glucitol and D-mannitol.Challenge
    • #Reduction
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Diastereomers
    • #Stereoselectivity
  • Reduction of D-glucose to D-glucitol (sorbitol) with NaBH4Draw hydride delivery from borohydride to the open-chain aldehyde of D-glucose and protonation of the alkoxide by water to give D-glucitol.Foundation
    • #Reduction
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #NucleophilicAddition
  • Reduction of glyceraldehyde to glycerolDraw hydride delivery from borohydride to the aldehyde carbon of glyceraldehyde and protonation of the alkoxide to glycerol.Foundation
    • #Reduction
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #NucleophilicAddition
  • Reduction of D-mannose to D-mannitol with NaBH4Draw the borohydride reduction of open-chain D-mannose and the acidic workup that protonates the alkoxide to give D-mannitol.Foundation
    • #Reduction
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #NucleophilicAddition
  • Nitric acid oxidation of D-glucose to D-glucaric acidDraw how warm dilute nitric acid oxidizes both ends of D-glucose, through hydrates and nitrate esters, to the dicarboxylic acid D-glucaric acid.Challenge
    • #Oxidation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #CarboxylicAcids
  • Glyceraldehyde phenylhydrazone, first stage of osazone formationDraw phenylhydrazine adding to the aldehyde of glyceraldehyde, the acetic acid-mediated proton transfers and loss of water to the phenylhydrazone.Challenge
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #IminesAndEnamines
    • #MechanismDrawing
  • Methyl β-D-ribofuranoside by kinetic Fischer glycosylationDraw the HCl-catalysed Fischer glycosylation of β-D-ribofuranose with methanol, through the furanosyl oxocarbenium ion, to methyl β-D-ribofuranoside.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Acetals
    • #SN1
    • #KineticVsThermodynamicControl
  • Ring closure of D-ribose to β-D-ribofuranoseDraw acid-catalysed hemiacetal formation in which the C4 hydroxyl of D-ribose adds to the C1 aldehyde to give the five-membered β-D-ribofuranose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #NucleophilicAddition
    • #NucleicAcids
  • Ruff degradation of D-gluconate to D-arabinoseDraw the radical oxidative decarboxylation by which H2O2 and iron(III) shorten D-gluconate by one carbon to D-arabinose.Challenge
    • #Decarboxylation
    • #Oxidation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Radicals
  • Acid hydrolysis of sucrose to D-glucose and D-fructoseDraw the acid-catalysed hydrolysis of sucrose in which the fructofuranosyl oxocarbenium ion forms and water captures it, giving D-glucose and D-fructose.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Hydrolysis
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Retro-cyanohydrin step of the Wohl degradationDraw methoxide deprotonating the cyanohydrin OH of 2,3-dihydroxypropanenitrile and the alkoxide expelling cyanide to give glycolaldehyde.Challenge
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Carbonyls
    • #MechanismDrawing
  • Wohl degradation: D-gluconitrile to D-arabinoseDraw the methoxide-promoted retro-cyanohydrin reaction in which D-gluconitrile loses cyanide to give D-arabinose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Nitriles
    • #Carbonyls

Predict the product 11

  • Locate the remaining reducing endPredict reducing behavior from two specified anomeric sites.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Glycosides
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Glucose with excess acetic anhydride and pyridinePredict the ester formed when glucose is fully acetylated.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Bromine water oxidation of D-glucosePick the structure formed when bromine water oxidizes D-glucose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Permethylation of D-glucose, then acid hydrolysisPredict the result of exhaustive methylation and hydrolysis of glucose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Methyl glucoside from D-glucose and methanol/HClPredict the product of D-glucose with methanol and acid.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Hydrolysis of methyl α-D-glucopyranoside in aqueous acidPredict the products of acid hydrolysis of a methyl glycoside.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Warm nitric acid oxidation of D-glucosePredict the product of an aldose with warm nitric acid.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Kiliani–Fischer chain extension of D-arabinosePredict the aldohexoses formed by Kiliani–Fischer synthesis from D-arabinose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Sodium borohydride reduction of D-glucosePredict the alditol formed by reducing an aldose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Benedict's test on D-glucosePredict the Benedict's test result for an aldose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct
  • Wohl degradation of D-glucosePredict the aldopentose formed by Wohl degradation of D-glucose.Challenge
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #PredictTheProduct

Classify 16

  • Read a Fischer projectionAssign carbon count and D/L family without inferring optical rotation.Foundation
    • #FischerProjections
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Stereochemistry
  • α or β?Assign α or β to a D-pyranose drawn as a Haworth projection.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Cellobiose glycosidic linkageClassify the linkage between the glucose units of cellobiose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Monomer of chitinIdentify the repeating unit and linkage of chitin.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Aldose or ketose?Classify monosaccharides by carbonyl type and carbon count.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • D or L?Assign D or L to a sugar from its Fischer projection.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • How 2-deoxyribose differs from riboseIdentify the structural difference between 2-deoxy-D-ribose and D-ribose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • D- vs L-glucoseName the relationship between D- and L-glucose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • C2 epimersName the relationship between D-glucose and D-mannose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Spot D-glucoseRecognize D-glucose among its stereoisomers.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Glucose vs galactoseIdentify the relationship between D-glucose and D-galactose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Branch-point linkage in glycogenIdentify the glycosidic linkage at the branch points of glycogen.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Is methyl glucoside a reducing sugar?Classify a methyl glycoside as reducing or non-reducing.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • What lactose is made ofIdentify the monosaccharides and linkage of lactose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Maltose glycosidic linkage and reducing behaviourClassify the linkage in maltose and whether it is reducing.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Pyranose or furanose ring?Name a cyclic sugar from its ring size (pyranose or furanose).Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals

Compare 2

  • Compare two stereochemical changesDistinguish a non-anomeric epimer pair from an anomer pair.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Diastereomers
    • #Stereochemistry
  • Starch versus cellulose linkageCompare the structures of starch and cellulose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals

Calculate 6

  • Calculate an equilibrium mixtureInfer anomer fractions from a supplied linear optical-rotation model.Challenge
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #OpticalActivity
    • #Equilibrium
    • #Calculations
  • Number of aldopentose stereoisomersCount the stereoisomers of an open-chain aldopentose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #Calculations
  • Fructose countCount stereocentres in an open-chain ketohexose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #Calculations
  • Percent α-D-glucose at mutarotation equilibriumCalculate the anomer fraction of glucose at equilibrium from specific rotations.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #Calculations
  • Specific rotation of an equilibrated D-glucose solutionCalculate specific rotation from observed rotation, concentration and path length.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #Calculations
  • Count stereocentresCount the stereocentres in an open-chain aldohexose.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #Calculations

Find the error 1

  • Diagnose absent mutarotationExplain why a methyl glycoside lacks neutral-water anomer equilibration.Application
    • #Glycosides
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals

Interpret the evidence 3

  • Assign anomeric configurationUse a supplied Haworth reference instead of equating alpha with D.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Stereochemistry
  • Find the anomeric carbonLocate the anomeric carbon in a cyclic sugar.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #DataInterpretation
  • Anomeric carbon of D-fructofuranoseLocate the anomeric carbon in the furanose form of D-fructose.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
    • #DataInterpretation

Work backward 1

  • Recover the ring-forming atomsIdentify anomeric carbon and ring size for ketose cyclization.Foundation
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals

Plan a synthesis 1

  • Choose an equilibration strategyConnect glycoside hydrolysis with restoration of anomer exchange.Challenge
    • #Glycosides
    • #Hydrolysis
    • #Acetals
    • #Carbohydrates

Explain why 2

  • What mutarotation meansExplain mutarotation as α/β anomer interconversion through the open-chain form.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals
  • Why sucrose is a non-reducing sugarExplain why sucrose gives a negative reducing-sugar test.Application
    • #Carbohydrates
    • #Acetals

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