Sucrose is a non-reducing sugar because it does not have a free aldehyde or ketone group. In sucrose, the glucose and fructose units are linked by their anomeric carbons, preventing the molecule from reacting with Benedict’s or Tollens’ solutions. Other points:
• Sucrose is commonly referred to as table sugar.
• It is a disaccharide with the formula \(C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}\).
• Non-reducing sugars do not participate in redox reactions typical of reducing sugars.