hydroksialdehyde

Hydroxialdehyde is a term that can refer to a class of organic compounds containing both a hydroxyl group (OH) and an aldehyde group (CHO) within the same molecule. The relative positions of these functional groups determine the specific properties and reactivity of the hydroxialdehyde. They are often formed through the oxidation of diols, where one of the alcohol groups is oxidized to an aldehyde. Alternatively, they can be synthesized through various organic reactions.

A common example of a hydroxialdehyde is glyceraldehyde, a simple three-carbon sugar. Glyceraldehyde exists as two enantiomers, D-glyceraldehyde and L-glyceraldehyde, which are mirror images of each other. These molecules are important intermediates in carbohydrate metabolism, particularly in the process of glycolysis. Other, more complex hydroxialdehydes can be found in nature and are synthesized for various applications in organic chemistry and biochemistry. Their dual functionality makes them versatile building blocks for the synthesis of more complex molecules.