Question

What do you mean by an anomeric carbon? I want an answer preferably for anomeric carbon in carbohydrates (sugars)

Answer 1

In the cyclic form of a sugar, the anomeric carbon is the carbon that was part of the carbonyl group in the straight-chain structure.

For example, the linear structure of glucose is

(from www.chem.wisc.edu)

When the chain converts to a ring, C-1 becomes a chiral centre.

(from science.uvu.edu)

C-1 is the anomeric carbon.

In D-fructose, the carbonyl group is at `"C-2"`.

(from web.pdx.edu)

(from science.uvu.edu

Here, `"C-2"` is the anomeric carbon.