β-d-Altrose

Abstract

The molecule of the title compound, C6H12O6, [systematic name: (2R,3S,4R,5R,6R)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol] adopts a 4C1 chair conformation with the anomeric hydroxyl group in the equatorial position. All hydroxyl groups act as donors and acceptors in hydrogen bonding and the molecule is involved in ten intermolecular O—H...O interactions [O...O = 2.672 (5)–2.776 (4) Å] with eight neighbouring molecules. Two independent O—H...O—H... helices extending along the z axis are found in this structure.