Carbohydrate Structure Aldopentoses and Ketopentoses

The video tutorial explores the cyclization of carbohydrates, focusing on aldoses and ketoses, particularly pentoses like D-ribose and ribulose. It explains the stability of different ring structures, emphasizing the preference for five-membered furanose rings in ribose due to hydrogen bonding. The tutorial also discusses the limited cyclization of ribulose and general rules for carbohydrate cyclization, highlighting the instability of four-membered and seven-membered rings.

What is the role of the hydroxymethyl group in ribose?

Why are four-membered rings considered unstable in carbohydrate chemistry?

What is the significance of the pentose phosphate pathway in relation to ribulose?

Discuss the general rule regarding the formation of carbohydrate rings.