what is the meaning of D in alpha-D -Glucose or beta-D-glucose
Dear student,
There D in the alpha D glucose and beta D-glucose is the type of the arrangement of the atoms and the shapes of the glucose molecule represented by Fisher projection models. There is two form of glucose called as D and L form which have the structures as the mirror images of each other. Hence, called as enantiomers. The D represents the configuration of the glucose molecule with respect to the presence of the -OH group of the glyceraldehyde molecule. If the -OH group is present on the right side, it is called as D configuration as shown in the image.
Regards
There D in the alpha D glucose and beta D-glucose is the type of the arrangement of the atoms and the shapes of the glucose molecule represented by Fisher projection models. There is two form of glucose called as D and L form which have the structures as the mirror images of each other. Hence, called as enantiomers. The D represents the configuration of the glucose molecule with respect to the presence of the -OH group of the glyceraldehyde molecule. If the -OH group is present on the right side, it is called as D configuration as shown in the image.
Regards