How can I convert the bond line view of L-idose to a Fischer projection?

1 Answer
Dec 14, 2014

A bond-line view gives no stereochemical information, so all 16 hexoses have the same bond line structure.

But each hexose has its own wedge-dash structure. Here are the steps to convert it to a Fischer projection.

  1. Draw the wedge-dash structure of the aldose.
  2. Draw a vertical line with C-1 (the aldehyde group) at the top and C-6 (the CH₂OH group) at the bottom.
  3. Draw horizontal lines to make crosses at C-2, C-3, C-4, and C-5.
  4. Put the OH groups and the H atoms on the correct sides of the crosses.

The wedge-dash structure of L-idose is

img1.guidechem.com

To convert this to a Fischer projection, we must view the molecule from the correct angle. Each chiral carbon must be closest to us, and C-1 must be at the top.

C-2: View from the upper left. This puts the OH on the right and the H on the left.
C-3: View from the lower left. This puts the OH on the left and the H on the right.
C-4: View from the upper left. This puts the OH on the right and the H on the left.
C-5: View from the lower left. This puts the OH on the left and the H on the right.

The Fischer projection of L-idose then becomes

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