Question

Formation of a hemiketal or hemiacetal causes the carbonyl carbon to become chiral, what is this carbonyl carbon now called? What about the isomers around it?

Answer 1

Formation of a hemiketal or hemiacetal results in the formation of the anomeric carbon, which is the chiral carbon. This carbon can exist in different isomeric forms known as anomers, with the two common forms being alpha (α) and beta (β) anomers.

Step-by-step explanation:

A hemiketal or hemiacetal formation causes the carbonyl carbon to become chiral.

This chiral carbon is called the anomeric carbon. In the case of monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose, the hemiacetal forms a five- or six-membered ring. The different isomers around the anomeric carbon are known as anomers. The two common forms are the alpha (α) and beta (β) anomers.