General formula for disaccharide is

Options

A. `C_(n)H_(2n)O_(n)`
B. `C_(n)(H_(2)O)_(n+1)`
C. `C_(n)(H_(2)O)_(n-1)`
D. `C_(12)H_(22)O_(11)`

Answer

To determine the general formula for disaccharides, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Disaccharides**:
- Disaccharides are carbohydrates formed by the combination of two monosaccharide units. The prefix "di-" means two, and "saccharide" refers to sugar or carbohydrate.

2. **Formation of Disaccharides**:
- Disaccharides are formed through a process called condensation reaction, where two monosaccharides join together, releasing a molecule of water in the process.

3. **Glycosidic Bond**:
- The two monosaccharides are linked together by a covalent bond known as a glycosidic bond, which is formed during the condensation reaction.

4. **General Formula Derivation**:
- The general formula for monosaccharides is \( C_nH_{2n}O_n \) (where \( n \) is the number of carbon atoms).
- When two monosaccharides combine to form a disaccharide, the reaction can be represented as:
\[ C_nH_{2n}O_n + C_nH_{2n}O_n \rightarrow C_{2n}H_{4n-2}O_{2n-1} + H_2O \]
- This means that for disaccharides, the general formula can be simplified to:
\[ C_{n}H_{2n-2}O_{n-1} \]
- For example, if we take \( n = 6 \) (as in glucose), the disaccharide formed would have the formula \( C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} \).

5. **Examples**:
- Common examples of disaccharides include sucrose, lactose, and maltose, all of which share the same chemical formula \( C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} \) but differ in structure.

### Conclusion:
The general formula for disaccharides is \( C_{n}H_{2n-2}O_{n-1} \), which can be exemplified by the formula \( C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} \) for common disaccharides.

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