Question

In the Haworth structure of the following carbohydrate, various carbon atoms have been numbered. The anomeric carbon is numbered as:

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 5

Hint:

In cyclic carbohydrates, the anomeric carbon is always the one that was originally part of the carbonyl group.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In the Haworth structure of carbohydrates, the anomeric carbon is the carbon atom that was part of the carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone) in the open-chain form of the sugar. It is the first carbon in the ring structure, as shown in option (A). This carbon is important in determining the alpha or beta configuration of the sugar.