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Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules
Frost - General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 4th Edition
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 77

Draw the product of the following 1→4 condensation and name the glycosidic bond: 
Two carbohydrate structures undergoing a 1→4 condensation reaction to form a glycosidic bond, with an arrow indicating the product.

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1
Identify the two monosaccharides involved in the reaction. A 1→4 condensation typically involves the hydroxyl group on the anomeric carbon (carbon 1) of one monosaccharide and the hydroxyl group on carbon 4 of the second monosaccharide.
Determine the orientation of the glycosidic bond. The bond can be either alpha (α) or beta (β), depending on the configuration of the anomeric carbon in the first monosaccharide. If the hydroxyl group on the anomeric carbon is pointing down, it is α; if it is pointing up, it is β.
Remove a molecule of water (H₂O) during the condensation reaction. This occurs as the hydroxyl group from the anomeric carbon of the first monosaccharide and the hydrogen from the hydroxyl group on carbon 4 of the second monosaccharide combine to form water.
Connect the remaining oxygen atom from the anomeric carbon of the first monosaccharide to carbon 4 of the second monosaccharide, forming the glycosidic bond. Represent this bond clearly in the product structure.
Name the glycosidic bond based on the configuration of the anomeric carbon (α or β) and the carbons involved in the linkage (1→4). For example, if the bond is α and connects carbon 1 of the first monosaccharide to carbon 4 of the second, it is called an α(1→4) glycosidic bond.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

1→4 Condensation Reaction

A 1→4 condensation reaction refers to the chemical process where two monosaccharides are linked together by a glycosidic bond, specifically between the first carbon of one sugar and the fourth carbon of another. This reaction releases a molecule of water and forms a disaccharide or oligosaccharide. Understanding this reaction is crucial for grasping how carbohydrates are synthesized in biological systems.
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Glycosidic Bond

A glycosidic bond is a type of covalent bond that connects a carbohydrate (sugar) molecule to another group, which can be another carbohydrate or a different type of molecule. In the context of the 1→4 condensation, this bond specifically forms between the first carbon of one sugar and the fourth carbon of another, resulting in a specific linkage that defines the structure and properties of the resulting carbohydrate.
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Product Structure

The product structure resulting from a 1→4 condensation reaction is typically a disaccharide or oligosaccharide, depending on the number of monosaccharides involved. The specific arrangement of atoms and the type of glycosidic bond formed influence the physical and chemical properties of the carbohydrate, such as solubility and digestibility. Identifying the product structure is essential for understanding its biological function and applications.
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