Do all carbohydrates have the formula #C_nH_(2m)O_m#?

1 Answer
le experz
Oct 23, 2015

Although carbohydrates are essentially hydrated carbons (i.e. each carbon is hydrated with a water molecule), sugars like deoxyribose sugar ( #C_5H_{10}O_4#) are also considered carbohydrate.

Explanation:

It is easier to view carbohydrate formula as #C_n(H_2O)_m# in order to see that it is hydrated carbon. In a condensation reaction where a disaccharide is formed, 1 molecule of water leave thereby giving #m=n-1#

However, in the case of deoxyribose, one of the carbon molecule is without an oxygen thereby becoming an exception to the formula.

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