C6H10O7

C6H10O7 is the molecular formula that can refer to several related hexuronic acids, a subset of sugar acids derived from hexose sugars by oxidation of terminal carbon atoms. Because this formula represents more than one structural arrangement, it does not specify a unique compound.

Notable isomers with this formula include D-galacturonic acid, D-glucuronic acid, and iduronic acid. Galacturonic acid is a major component of pectin, a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. Glucuronic acid is widely recognized for its role in animal biology, where it participates in detoxification pathways through glucuronidation and serves as a unit in various glycosaminoglycans. Iduronic acid is another uronic acid unit present in some glycosaminoglycans, contributing to the structural diversity of these biopolymers.

In biochemistry and nutrition, hexuronic acids are important as monomeric units in complex carbohydrates and as intermediates in metabolic pathways. They are typically highly polar and water-soluble due to multiple carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, and their reactivity often centers on the carboxyl groups.

Because C6H10O7 encompasses several constitutional isomers, the specific properties and functions depend on the exact connectivity and stereochemistry. When only the formula is known, additional structural information is required to identify the precise compound.