Which of the following pairs represents anomers?

Options

A.
B.
C.
D.

Explanation

To determine which of the given pairs represents anomers, we need to understand what anomers are. Anomers are a specific type of stereoisomer that differ in configuration at the anomeric carbon (C1) of a carbohydrate. They are typically categorized as alpha (α) and beta (β) forms, depending on the orientation of the hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the anomeric carbon.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Anomeric Carbon**:
- In a cyclic carbohydrate, the anomeric carbon is the carbon that was the carbonyl carbon (C=O) in the open-chain form. For aldoses, this is C1, and for ketoses, it is C2.

2. **Examine Each Pair**:
- For each pair of structures provided in the options, we need to identify the anomeric carbon and check the configuration of the hydroxyl group at that carbon.

3. **Check Configuration**:
- If the hydroxyl group on the anomeric carbon is on the right side in one structure and on the left side in the other, then they are anomers (one is α and the other is β).
- If both structures have the hydroxyl group in the same position (both on the right or both on the left), they are not anomers.

4. **Evaluate the Options**:
- **Option A**: Both structures have the same configuration at C1 → Not anomers.
- **Option B**: Both structures have the same configuration at C1 → Not anomers.
- **Option C**: One structure has the hydroxyl group on the right and the other on the left at C1 → These are anomers.
- **Option D**: Similar to option C, but they are mirror images → Not anomers, as they are enantiomers.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer is **Option C**, as it represents a pair of anomers differing in the configuration at the anomeric carbon.