Elementary plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (2+1)

Conformational structure

The six-membered pyranose ring is not actually planar, as suggested by Haworth, but assume usually the stable chair conformation.



• The substituents are represented either axially or equatorially
• The axial substituents project almost parallel with the vertical axis through the ring
• The equatorial substituents project roughly perpendicular to this axis.
• Substituents in the equatorial positions are less sterically hindered by neighbouring substituents. Conformations with their bulky substituents in equatorial positions are favoured.