What do you mean by an anomeric carbon? I want an answer preferably for anomeric carbon in carbohydrates (sugars)

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Answer 1 · 2015-07-22T01:03:09

In the cyclic form of a sugar, the anomeric carbon is the carbon that was part of the carbonyl group in the straight-chain structure.

For example, the linear structure of glucose is

(from www.chem.wisc.edu)

When the chain converts to a ring, C-1 becomes a chiral centre.

Anomers1
(from science.uvu.edu)

C-1 is the anomeric carbon.

In D-fructose, the carbonyl group is at #"C-2"#.

(from web.pdx.edu)

Anomers2
(from science.uvu.edu

Here, #"C-2"# is the anomeric carbon.