Galactitol

Galactitol
Names
IUPAC name
D-Galactitol
Systematic IUPAC name
(2R,3S,4R,5S)-hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol
Other names
Dulcitol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.009.242 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5+,6- checkY
    Key: FBPFZTCFMRRESA-GUCUJZIJSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5+,6-
    Key: FBPFZTCFMRRESA-GUCUJZIJBM
  • O[C@H]([C@@H](O)CO)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)CO
Properties
C6H14O6
Molar mass 182.172 g/mol
-112.40·10−6 cm3/mol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Galactitol (dulcitol) is a sugar alcohol, the reduction product of galactose.[1] It has a slightly sweet taste.[1] In people with galactokinase deficiency, a form of galactosemia, excess dulcitol forms in the lens of the eye leading to cataracts.[2]

Galactitol is produced from galactose in a reaction catalyzed by aldose reductase.

The other common galactose metabolism defect is a defect in galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, an autosomal recessive disorder, which also causes a buildup of galactitol as a result of increased concentrations of galactose-1-phosphate and galactose. This disorder leads to cataracts caused by galactitol buildup.

References

  1. ^ a b "Galactitol - Compound Summary". National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
  2. ^ Roth, KS (September 10, 2007). "Galactokinase Deficiency". eMedicine. WebMD. Retrieved 2008-08-08.