Talose
Encyclopedia
Talose is an aldohexose
sugar. It is an unnatural monosaccharide
that is soluble in water and slightly soluble in methanol
. Some etymologists suggest that talose's name derives from the automaton of Greek mythology named Talos
, but the relevance is unclear.
Talose is a C-2 epimer
of galactose
.
Aldohexose
An aldohexose is a hexose with an aldehyde group on one end.The aldohexoses have four chiral centres for a total of 16 possible aldohexose stereoisomers . Of these, only three commonly occur in nature: D-glucose, D-galactose, and D-mannose...
sugar. It is an unnatural monosaccharide
Monosaccharide
Monosaccharides are the most basic units of biologically important carbohydrates. They are the simplest form of sugar and are usually colorless, water-soluble, crystalline solids. Some monosaccharides have a sweet taste. Examples of monosaccharides include glucose , fructose , galactose, xylose...
that is soluble in water and slightly soluble in methanol
Methanol
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH . It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol...
. Some etymologists suggest that talose's name derives from the automaton of Greek mythology named Talos
Talos
In Greek mythology, Talos or Talon was a giant man of bronze who protected Europa in Crete from pirates and invaders by circling the island's shores three times daily while guarding it.- History :...
, but the relevance is unclear.
Talose is a C-2 epimer
Epimer
In chemistry, epimers are diastereomers that differ in configuration of only one stereogenic center. Diastereomers are a class of stereoisomers that are non-superposable, non-mirror images of one another....
of galactose
Galactose
Galactose , sometimes abbreviated Gal, is a type of sugar that is less sweet than glucose. It is a C-4 epimer of glucose....
.