Glycerophosphoric acid

Glyceric aldehyde, also known as 3-hydroxypropanal, is a biochemical compound involved in several metabolic pathways. It is a chiral molecule, existing in two enantiomeric forms: D-glyceric aldehyde and L-glyceric aldehyde.

Structure and Properties

Glyceric aldehyde is a three-carbon aldehyde with a hydroxyl group on the second carbon, making it an alcohol as well. Its molecular formula is C3H6O2. The presence of both an aldehyde group and a hydroxyl group in the same molecule makes glyceric aldehyde an example of a carbonyl compound.

Biological Role

In biochemistry, glyceric aldehyde plays a key role in several metabolic pathways. It is an intermediate in the glycolysis pathway, which is the process by which cells break down glucose to produce energy. It is also involved in the Calvin cycle, which is the set of chemical reactions that occur during photosynthesis in plants.

Synthesis

Glyceric aldehyde can be synthesized in the laboratory by the oxidation of glycerol, a three-carbon alcohol, using a suitable oxidizing agent such as potassium permanganate.

See Also

• Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate
• Glycolysis
• Calvin cycle
• Photosynthesis