Tag: Hydrates of carbon

In the mid-19th century, chemists first coined the term 'carbohydrate' based on a simple, yet flawed, observation. This old definition described these compounds as 'hydrates of carbon,' represented by the empirical formula $C_n(H_2O)_m$, reflecting the seeming equal ratio of hydrogen and oxygen atoms to those in water.

Over 100 billion metric tons of carbohydrates are created annually by the Earth's plants, and their name is a direct clue to their chemical composition. So, how do carbohydrates get their name and what does their name tell us about their structure?

Carbohydrates are the most abundant organic molecules in nature, with the term 'carbohydrate' originally referring to a compound of carbon and water. This name, meaning 'hydrates of carbon,' stems from their early empirical formula, which indicated a simple 1:2:1 ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. While the name has stuck, modern chemistry provides a more detailed structural definition.

According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), a key term that can be used to describe carbohydrates is "saccharides". Beyond this formal scientific name, these essential macronutrients are known by several other terms depending on their chemical structure and nutritional context.