Number of possible isomers of glucose is

Options

A. 16
B. 14
C. 10
D. 8

Answer

To determine the number of possible isomers of glucose, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the structure of glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar with the molecular formula C6H12O6. It has a specific structure that can be represented in a linear form or as a cyclic structure (pyranose form).

### Step 2: Identify chiral carbons in glucose
A chiral carbon is a carbon atom that is attached to four different groups. In the case of glucose, we need to analyze its structure to identify the chiral centers.

### Step 3: Count the number of chiral carbons
In the structure of glucose, we find that there are four chiral carbons. These are typically located at the following positions in the linear form of glucose:
1. C2
2. C3
3. C4
4. C5

### Step 4: Use the formula for calculating isomers
The number of possible stereoisomers can be calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{Number of isomers} = 2^n \]
where \( n \) is the number of chiral carbons.

### Step 5: Substitute the value of n
Since we have identified that there are 4 chiral carbons in glucose, we substitute \( n = 4 \) into the formula:
\[ \text{Number of isomers} = 2^4 \]

### Step 6: Calculate the result
Calculating \( 2^4 \) gives us:
\[ 2^4 = 16 \]

### Conclusion
Thus, the total number of possible isomers of glucose is 16.

### Final Answer
The number of possible isomers of glucose is **16**.

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