Threose

Threose

D-Threose
L-Threose
Names
IUPAC names (2S,3R)-2,3,4-Trihydroxybutanal (D) (2R,3S)-2,3,4-Trihydroxybutanal (L)
Other names Threotetrose
Identifiers
CAS Number	95-43-2 (D) N 95-44-3 (L) Y
3D model (Jmol)	(D): Interactive image (L): Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:28587 Y
ChemSpider	388736 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.002.199
PubChem CID	439665 (D)
InChI InChI=1S/C4H8O4/c5-1-3(7)4(8)2-6/h1,3-4,6-8H,2H2/t3-,4-/m1/s1 Y Key: YTBSYETUWUMLBZ-QWWZWVQMSA-N Y InChI=1/C4H8O4/c5-1-3(7)4(8)2-6/h1,3-4,6-8H,2H2/t3-,4-/m1/s1 Key: YTBSYETUWUMLBZ-QWWZWVQMBY
SMILES (D): O=C[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)CO (L): OC[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)C=O
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H8O4
Molar mass	120.10 g·mol−1
Appearance	Syrup
Solubility in water	Very soluble
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Threose is a four-carbon monosaccharide or carbohydrate with molecular formula C₄H₈O₄. It has a terminal aldehyde group rather than a ketone in its linear chain, and so is considered part of the aldose family of monosaccharides. The threose name can be used to refer to both the D- and L-stereoisomers, and more generally to the racemic mixture (D/L-, equal parts D- and L-) as well as to the more generic threose structure (absolute stereochemistry unspecified).

The prefix "threo" which derives from threose (and "erythro" from a corresponding diastereomer erythrose) offer a useful way to describe general organic structures with adjacent chiral centers, where "the prefixes... designate the relative configuration of the centers". As is depicted in a Fischer projection of D-threose, the adjacent substituents will have a syn orientation in the isomer referred to as "threo", and are anti in the isomer referred to as "erythro".