Tag: Tautomerization

Despite the complexity of carbohydrate chemistry, a fundamental truth holds: all monosaccharides are reducing sugars. But what does 'reducing in nature' truly mean, and why is this property universal among the simplest carbohydrates?

Reducing sugars are carbohydrates that can donate electrons to other molecules and are identifiable via tests like Benedict's and Tollens'. A common point of confusion arises when considering ketoses, but the definitive chemical truth is more nuanced than the simple statement "ketoses are not reducing sugars" suggests.