D-Glucose Furanose Molecule Structure

Glucose, chemical formula C₆H₁₂O_6, is the single most important carbohydrate & is produced in plants from carbon dioxide and water using sunlight as the energy source. It is the basic subunit of polysaccharides such as cellulose, starch & glycogen. Its linear form, D-glucose, has a carbonyl group at C1, forming an aldehyde, 6 carbon aldohexose reducing sugar. In humans and other mammals it occurs mainly in cyclic form as beta-D-glucopyranose (as shown in the image).

You can use our 3D Molecular Model Builder to illustrate glucose in any of its 5 forms. First choose the model style: "Orbit-flexible". Then choose which structure you want to view/build. Simply enter D-glucose or dextrose for the linear molecule, note the carbonyl at carbon 6. Enter alpha-d-glucopyranose or beta-d-glucopyranose to view 6 member rings; alpha-d-glucofuranose or beta-d-glucofuranose for 5 member rings.