Kiliani–Fischer synthesis

Definition

The Kiliani–Fischer synthesis is a chemical reaction used to elongate the carbon chain of monosaccharides by one carbon atom, utilizing cyanohydrin formation followed by hydrolysis and hydrogenation. It allows for the systematic exploration of stereochemistry at the newly created chiral center.

Related terms

Monosaccharides:

Simple sugars that cannot be hydrolyzed into smaller carbohydrate molecules, serving as fundamental units for carbohydrates.

Cyanohydrin Formation:

A chemical reaction where a cyanide ion reacts with an aldehyde or ketone to form a cyanohydrin, crucial for increasing carbon chains in organic synthesis.

Stereochemistry:

The study of how the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules affects their chemical properties and reactions, critical for understanding biomolecule behavior