Name the product which is formed by the oxidation of glucose and gluconic acid with nitric acid.

Options

A. Rhamnose
B. Saccharic acid
C. Citric acid
D. Oxalic acid

Answer

To determine the product formed by the oxidation of glucose and gluconic acid with nitric acid, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Reactants
- **Glucose** is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) with the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆. It contains multiple hydroxyl (OH) groups and an aldehyde group (CHO).
- **Gluconic acid** is a carboxylic acid derived from glucose, with the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₇. It has a carboxyl group (COOH) replacing the aldehyde group.

### Step 2: Identify the Oxidizing Agent
- **Nitric acid (HNO₃)** is a strong oxidizing agent. When glucose and gluconic acid are treated with nitric acid, it will oxidize them.

### Step 3: Predict the Oxidation Reaction
- The oxidation process involves the addition of oxygen and/or the removal of hydrogen from the reactants.
- For glucose, the aldehyde group (CHO) can be oxidized to a carboxylic acid (COOH).
- For gluconic acid, the existing carboxylic acid group can also be oxidized further.

### Step 4: Determine the Product
- The oxidation of glucose will lead to the formation of **gluconic acid** if it is not already present.
- The oxidation of gluconic acid can lead to the formation of **saccharic acid** (also known as saccharic acid or gluconic acid's fully oxidized form).

### Step 5: Final Answer
- The product formed by the oxidation of glucose and gluconic acid with nitric acid is **saccharic acid**.

### Summary
The oxidation of glucose and gluconic acid with nitric acid results in the formation of saccharic acid.

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