Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Ketose
A ketose is a type of sugar (carbohydrate) that contains a ketone group (C=O) in its structure. Unlike aldoses, which have an aldehyde group, ketoses typically have their carbonyl group located at the second carbon atom. This structural difference influences their reactivity and the types of derivatives they can form during chemical reactions.
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Reduction Reaction
Reduction reactions involve the gain of electrons or hydrogen by a molecule, often resulting in the conversion of a carbonyl group (C=O) to an alcohol (C-OH). In the context of sugars, reducing agents like sodium borohydride (NaBH4) can convert ketoses into sugar alcohols, which are important in various biological and industrial processes.
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Sugar Alcohols
Sugar alcohols, or polyols, are derived from sugars through reduction, where the carbonyl group is converted into a hydroxyl group. Examples include d-altritol and d-allitol, which are formed from specific ketoses. These compounds are often used as sweeteners and have applications in food and pharmaceutical industries due to their lower caloric content compared to regular sugars.
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