An Optically Active D-Aldohexose Was Treated with NaBH₄/H₂O It Produced

question 67

Essay

An optically active D-aldohexose was treated with NaBH₄/H₂O it produced an optically inactive alditol. When the same D-aldohexose was subjected to Wohl degradation followed by HNO₃ it produced an optically inactive aldaric acid. Provide the structure of this D-aldohexose.

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Definitions:

Molecules

The smallest unit of a chemical compound that can retain the chemical properties of the compound, consisting of one or more atoms bonded together.

First Law of Thermodynamics

This principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another, implying that the total energy in an isolated system remains constant.

Concentrated Energy

Energy that is intensified or focused within a small area or volume, often for the purpose of efficient transmission or usage.

Usable Energy

Energy in a form that can be directly applied to perform work or be processed into a form suitable for human needs, such as electricity or mechanical power.