Diose

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A diose is a monosaccharide containing two carbon atoms. Because the general chemical formula of an unmodified monosaccharide is (C·H₂O)_n, where n is three or greater, it does not meet the formal definition of a monosaccharide. However, since it does fit the formula (C·H₂O)_n, it is sometimes thought of as the most basic sugar. There is only one possible diose, glycolaldehyde (2-Hydroxyethanal), which is an aldodiose (a ketodiose is not possible since there are only two carbons).

The structure of the only possible aldodiose is

 CH=O    
 |       
 CH2OH 
Glycolaldehyde    

[edit] See also

• Triose
• Tetrose
• Pentose
• Hexose
• Heptose