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Monosaccharide with only two carbon atoms From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A diose is a monosaccharide containing two carbon atoms. Because the general chemical formula of an unmodified monosaccharide is (C·H2O)n, where n is three or greater, it does not meet the formal definition of a monosaccharide.[1] However, since it does fit the formula (C·H2O)n, it is sometimes thought of as the most basic sugar.[2]
There is only one possible diose, glycolaldehyde (2-hydroxyethanal), which is an aldodiose (a ketodiose is not possible since there are only two carbons).