When a molecules has more than one chiral carbon, the maximum number of stereoisomers possible equals 2n where n is the number of chiral carbons. Monosaccharides that contain an aldehyde group are called aldoses, whereas those containing a ketone group are ketoses. Monosaccharides are also classified by the number of carbon atoms as trioses, tetroses, etc. Most natural monosaccharides belong to the D- family. Physical Properties of Monosaccharides.
Monosaccharides are sweet-tasting solids that are very soluble in water.
Chemical Properties of Monosaccharides. Pentoses and hexoses form cyclic hemiacetals or hemiketals whose structures can be represented by Haworth structures. Two isomers referred to as anomers are produced in the cyclization reaction. All monosaccharides are oxidized by Benedict's or Fehling's reagent and are called reducing sugars. Monosaccharides can react with alcohols to produce acetals or ketals that are called glycosides.