Question

Define the term:

25(a). Anomers.

Hint:

Anomers are the reason for "mutarotation" – the change in specific rotation over time as the isomers interconvert.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Anomers are a special type of optical isomers found in cyclic structures of sugars.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Anomers are diastereomers of cyclic saccharides that differ in configuration only at the hemiacetal (in aldoses) or hemiketal (in ketoses) carbon atom.
This carbon atom is called the anomeric carbon.
In D-glucose, the two anomers are \(\alpha\)-D-glucose and \(\beta\)-D-glucose, differing at C-1.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Anomers are cyclic isomers differing only in configuration at the anomeric carbon.