Aldoketose

Aldoketose is a term used in organic chemistry and biochemistry to describe a carbohydrate that possesses both an aldehyde functional group and a ketone functional group. This dual functionality is relatively uncommon in naturally occurring simple sugars, which are typically classified as either aldoses (containing an aldehyde) or ketoses (containing a ketone).

The presence of both an aldehyde and a ketone within the same molecule can lead to complex reactivity and isomeric forms. In cyclic hemiacetal and hemiketal structures, which are common for carbohydrates in solution, the aldehyde and ketone groups are involved in forming the ring. If a molecule were to formally contain both, it would imply a more intricate structure or a potential for tautomerization between aldose and ketose forms under certain conditions.

While simple sugars like glucose (an aldose) and fructose (a ketose) are well-known examples of monosaccharides with single aldehyde or ketone groups, molecules with both functionalities are less frequently encountered as fundamental building blocks. Their formation or existence might be more pertinent in specific synthetic pathways, degradation products, or under unusual biochemical circumstances. The term "aldoketose" serves to categorize such hypothetical or observed compounds with this specific combination of functional groups.