anomerisation
Anomerisation is a process in carbohydrate chemistry where an anomeric carbon atom undergoes epimerization. The anomeric carbon is the chiral center that is formed when the ring structure of a monosaccharide closes. This carbon is bonded to two oxygen atoms, one in the ring and one in the hemiacetal or hemiketal group. Anomerisation specifically refers to the interconversion between the alpha (α) and beta (β) anomers of a cyclic carbohydrate. These anomers are stereoisomers that differ in their configuration at the anomeric carbon.
In aqueous solution, a cyclic monosaccharide exists in equilibrium with its open-chain form. The open-chain form