What is the Difference Between Aldaric Aldonic and Uronic Acid?

The main difference between aldaric, aldonic, and uronic acids lies in the oxidation of their functional groups. These compounds are sugar acids, which are derived from sugars and have carboxylic acid functional groups. Here is a summary of their characteristics:

• Aldaric Acids: These are aldoses in which both the hydroxyl function of the terminal carbon and the aldehyde function of the first carbon have been fully oxidized to carboxylic acid functions. They are characterized by the formula HOOC-(CHOH)n-COOH. Aldaric acids are usually synthesized by the oxidation of aldoses with nitric acid. For example, glucose is oxidized to glucaric acid and xylose to xylaric acid.
• Aldonic Acids: These organic compounds have the chemical formula HOOC-(CHOH)n-CH2OH. They are formed when only the aldehyde group of an aldose is oxidized.
• Uronic Acids: These are a class of sugar acids with both carbonyl and carboxyl acid functional groups. They are sugars in which the hydroxyl group furthest from the carbonyl group has been oxidized to a carboxylic acid function. The names of uronic acids are generally based on their parent sugars, for example, the uronic acid analog of glucose is glucuronic acid. Uronic acids derived from hexoses are known as hexuronic acids.

In summary, aldaric acids have both terminal hydroxyl and aldehyde groups oxidized, aldonic acids have only the aldehyde group oxidized, and uronic acids have both carbonyl and carboxyl acid functional groups.

Comparative Table: Aldaric Aldonic vs Uronic Acid

The key difference between aldaric aldonic and uronic acid is that aldaric acid has both terminal end functional groups oxidized, while aldonic acid has only the aldehyde group oxidized, whereas the end functional groups of uronic acid are not oxidized. All three acids are important organic compounds that can be categorized as sugar acids. Here is a summary table of their differences:

Aldaric acids are formed when both terminal hydroxyl and aldehyde groups of a sugar molecule are oxidized. Aldonic acids are formed when only the aldehyde group is oxidized. Uronic acids, on the other hand, have both carbonyl and carboxyl acid functional groups and are not oxidized. The name of a particular uronic acid is generally created based on the parent sugar molecule.